President Biden Tests Positive: What’s Next?

President Joe Biden tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday while attending events in Las Vegas, according to the White House.

In a statement, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden tested positive following his first event in Las Vegas.

“He is vaccinated and boosted and is experiencing mild symptoms,” said Jean-Pierre. “He will be returning to Delaware where he will self-isolate and continue to fulfill all of his duties fully during that time. The White House will provide regular updates on the President’s status as he continues to perform his duties while in isolation.”

Biden was already scheduled to go to Delaware after his Las Vegas trip.

Biden’s doctor noted that he tested positive after experiencing upper respiratory symptoms. Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s physician, mentioned that Biden’s symptoms include a runny nose, nonproductive cough, and general malaise.

Biden has begun taking Paxlovid, a medication that reduces the chance of hospitalization or death.

According to his doctor, Biden does not have a fever, and his respiratory rate remains normal.

Upon arriving at the Las Vegas-area airport, Biden responded to a question about his condition, saying, “Good, I feel good.”

En route to Delaware, Biden tweeted highlighting his illness and criticizing Elon Musk, urging followers to donate to his re-election campaign.

Biden, 81, has maintained a busy schedule in Nevada despite recent questions about his health following a debate performance in late June.

Both Biden and former President Donald Trump have previously tested positive for Covid-19; Biden in 2022, and Trump in 2020.

News of Biden’s positive test was announced at a conference where he was scheduled to speak.

“Regrettably, I was just on the phone with President Biden, and he shared his deep disappointment at not being able to join us this afternoon,” said Janet Murguía, president of UnidosUS, the largest Latino advocacy organization in the U.S.

Biden, expected to speak at the event in Las Vegas, was an hour and a half late before the announcement was made.

Top campaign officials Jen O’Malley Dillon and Julie Chavez Rodriguez informed campaign staff members of the positive test in an email.

“The president is doing fine and looking forward to being back on the campaign trail as soon as he is COVID-free,” the email stated.

In an interview with BET on Tuesday, Biden said he would drop out of the presidential race if he developed a medical condition preventing him from running.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance recommends that people who test positive stay home and away from others but can resume normal activities after improvement and no fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication. The CDC encourages wearing masks and maintaining distance from others for five days after resuming regular activities.

Biden was not wearing a mask while walking to Air Force One despite testing positive, nor were the staff members boarding with him.

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