United States President Joe Biden has tested positive for Covid-19, Janet Murguía, president and CEO of UnidosUS, announced on Wednesday.
Biden was scheduled to speak at the UnidosUS conference in Las Vegas on Wednesday night but called Murguía to inform her that he would not be able to attend due to his diagnosis.
“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,” Murguía told attendees at the conference.
The White House later confirmed the news, stating that Biden was experiencing mild symptoms and would self-isolate in Delaware. The 81-year-old president is fully vaccinated and boosted, and has already taken his first dose of Paxlovid, a medication that reduces the risk of hospitalization or death from Covid-19.
Biden’s diagnosis comes at a crucial time for his re-election campaign, as he faces pressure from fellow Democrats to drop out of the race due to his age and health concerns. The president has pushed back against these calls, stating that he is fit to serve another term.
