US President Joe Biden tests positive for COVID in Nevada
US President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID while campaigning in Nevada.
The 81-year-old was forced to cancel a campaign speaking event that was planned to take place in Las Vegas.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced the positive test for the Democrat after he pulled out of a scheduled event.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“He is vaccinated and boosted and experiencing mild symptoms,” she 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”.
A slow Biden was seen walking up the stairs onto Air Force One as he left Nevada.
Biden saw his doctor on Wednesday afternoon after noticing symptoms.
Dr Kevin O’Connor, the president’s physician, said in a note that Biden “presented this afternoon with upper respiratory symptoms, to include rhinorrhea (runny nose) and non-productive cough, with general malaise”.
After the positive COVID-19 test, Biden was prescribed the antiviral drug Paxlovid and has taken his first dose, O’Connor said.
Biden was slated to speak at the Unidos event in Las Vegas on Wednesday afternoon as part of an effort to rally Hispanic voters ahead of the November election.
Unidos US president Janet Murguía told the guests that the president had sent his regrets and could not appear because he tested positive for the virus.
The positive test has been confirmed just hours ahead of an interview set to air in the US where President Joe Biden said he might reconsider his decision to stay in the race against Donald Trump if a medical condition emerged.
With Reuters & AAP
