WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 14: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers a nationally televised address from the Oval Office of the White House on July 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. The president was expected to expound on remarks given at a news conference earlier in the day on yesterday's shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, in which former U.S. President Donald Trump was injured at a campaign rally. (Photo by Erin Schaff-Pool/Getty Images)
President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 while traveling Wednesday (July 17) in Las Vegas, per AP. The White House confirmed the news, releasing a statement from his physician that describes his “mild” symptoms.
Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden will fly to his home in Delaware, where he will “self-isolate and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time.”
The news was first shared by Unidos US President and CEO Janet Murguía, who told guests at the group’s convention in Las Vegas that the president had sent his regrets and could not appear. They revealed that COVID-19 was the reason.
Dr. Kevin O’Connor, the president’s physician, also released a statement about the positive test. His note said Biden was experiencing upper respiratory symptoms this afternoon. His symptoms included: “rhinorhea (runny nose) and non-productive cough, with general malaise.”
After the positive COVID-19 test, the doctor prescribed him the antiviral drug Paxlovid. He has taken his first dose, O’Connor said.
President Biden was slated to speak at the Unidos event in Las Vegas Wednesday afternoon as part of an effort to rally Hispanic voters ahead of the November election.
Instead, he departed for the airport to fly to Delaware. For context, he had already been planning to spend a long weekend at his home in Rehoboth Beach.
According to AP, Joe Biden gingerly boarded Air Force One and told reporters traveling with him, “I feel good.” He was not wearing a mask as he walked onto Air Force One.
The president had previously been at the Original Lindo Michoacan restaurant in Las Vegas, where he was greeting diners and sat for an interview with Univision.
Biden’s positive test comes days after a man shot at GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally. In the days since more details have been raised about the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks.
Associated Press reporter Aamer Madhani contributed to this report.
