President Biden tests positive for COVID-19, to isolate at home

Biden tested positive in Las Vegas, where he was scheduled to speak at the annual UnidosUS conference.

The President's physician said that Biden received his first dose of Paxlovid and will isolate at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, by the guidelines of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"The President presented this afternoon with upper respiratory symptoms, to include rhinorrhea (runny nose) and non-productive cough, with general malaise," read a statement from Biden's doctor, conveyed by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. Because the President reported feeling unwell, it was decided to conduct a COVID-19 test, which came back positive.

"President Biden is vaccinated, boosted, and he is experiencing mild symptoms following a positive COVID-19 test. He will be returning to Delaware where he will self-isolate and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time," read a statement published by the White House.

"I feel good," Joe Biden said, confirming his words by giving a thumbs-up before boarding Air Force One.

The White House issued a statement after UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía announced the U.S. President's illness. Biden did not attend his scheduled appearance.

"I was just on the phone with President Biden. And he shared his deep disappointment at not being able to join us this afternoon. The president has been at many events as we all know and he just tested positive for Covid," said Murguía to conference attendees who had been waiting for an hour and a half for the President's appearance.

This is 81-year-old Biden's second infection with the virus. The first time the U.S. President contracted the illness was in July 2022. According to the White House, Biden also recently struggled with a cold, which was cited as one reason for his poor performance in the June debate with Donald Trump.