Biden Tests Positive For COVID, Cuts Short Campaign Swing

President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, the White House confirmed as he was on the campaign trail out West, as concerns about his age and mental health spur a push by some of his fellow Democrats to get him to drop out of the 2024 race.

The development was first announced on-stage during an event at which Biden was expected to appear in Nevada. Janet Murguía, president and CEO of UnidosUS, told the crowd Biden called her to say he would not be able to join them because of his diagnosis.

“Thank you all so much for your patience and understanding. 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,” she said.

“The president has been at many events as we all know and he just tested positive for COVID,” Murguía added. “So of course we understand that he needs to take the precautions that have been recommended and he did not obviously want to put anybody at risk.”

Biden allegedly can't give his speech in Nevada because he "tested positive for COVID."

He was greeting restaurant patrons just an hour ago. pic.twitter.com/hFU4t4t9yG

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 17, 2024

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement that Biden tested positive for COVID-19 following his first event in Las Vegas earlier in the day. Biden is vaccinated and boosted, she said, adding that the president is experiencing mild symptoms.

The message from the White House included a note from the president’s doctor that said the 81-year-old Biden “presented this afternoon with upper respiratory symptoms, to include rhinorhea (runny nose) and non-productive cough, with general mailaise.”

Biden, who has repeatedly tested positive for COVID-19 over the years, “felt okay for his first event of the day, but given that he was not feeling better, point of care testing for COVID-19 was conducted, and the results were positive for the COVID-19 virus,” the doctor said.

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Jean-Pierre said Biden would be returning to Delaware and would self-isolate while continuing to carry out all of his duties fully during that time. She also vowed the White House would provide “regular updates” on the president’s status while he keeps working the job.

The doctor’s note said Biden would be self-isolating in accordance with guidance for symptomatic individuals from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and that PCR confirmation testing will be pending.

“His symptoms remain mild, his respiratory rate is normal at 16, his temperature is normal at 97.8 and his pulse oximetry is normal at 97%. The President has received his first dose of Paxlovid. He will be self-isolating at his home in Rehoboth,” the doctor concluded.

Journalists observed Biden boarding Air Force One, not wearing a mask, as he began his journey back to Delaware. He reportedly told reporters, “I feel good,” when asked how he was doing and gave the media a thumbs up.

JUST IN: President Biden seen boarding Air Force One in #LasVegas after testing positive for Covid-19.
MORE: https://t.co/umFA4lYb43 pic.twitter.com/1Iiy6CXvfi

— KSNV News 3 Las Vegas (@News3LV) July 17, 2024

Biden’s team recently blamed a cold, among other excuses, for the president’s disastrous debate performance late last month in which he appeared confused and lost his train of thought during his face-off against former President Donald Trump.

A growing number of Democrats, including Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), have since called on Biden to step aside and let someone else take on the presidential nomination for their party. Biden, so far, has refused to drop out and says he remains intent on winning a second term.