President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19, the White House announced on Thursday. The 81-year-old president, who is vaccinated and boosted, is experiencing mild symptoms.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated, “President Biden is vaccinated and boosted and is experiencing mild symptoms.”
The positive test result came after an event Biden attended in Nevada.
Biden will return to his private residence in Delaware, where he will self-isolate.
“He will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time,” the statement added.
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Biden’s doctor reported that the president showed “upper respiratory symptoms” in the afternoon, including a runny nose and a cough.
The results of a PCR confirmation test are still pending, but Biden has already received the first dose of the COVID drug Paxlovid.
This is the second time Biden has tested positive for COVID-19; the first was in 2022, when he also experienced mild symptoms. Despite his mild symptoms, Biden’s advanced age places him at higher risk of severe illness from the virus.
The news of Biden’s positive test comes amid ongoing debates about his health and fitness ahead of the upcoming presidential election in November. Analysts and voters are closely watching his ability to serve another term. His main rival, Donald Trump, has secured the nomination of the opposition Republican Party.