President Biden tests positive for COVID-19 while campaigning in Las Vegas – Daily Press

By AAMER MADHANI, Associated Press

LAS VEGAS (AP) President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 while traveling Wednesday in Las Vegas and is experiencing mild symptoms including general malaise from the infection, the White House said.

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden will fly to his home in Delaware, where he will self-isolate and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time. The news had first been shared by Unidos US President and CEO Janet Murgua, who told guests at the groups convention in Las Vegas that president had sent his regrets and could not appear because he tested positive for the virus.

US President Joe Biden, alongside Maritza Rodriguez (in white), a campaign advisor for the Biden Nevada state team, greets people as he arrives at Lindo Michoacan restaurant ahead of a radio interview in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 17, 2024. (Photo by Kent Nishimura / AFP) (Photo by KENT NISHIMURA/AFP via Getty Images)

US President Joe Biden greets people as he arrives at Lindo Michoacan restaurant ahead of a radio interview in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 17, 2024. (Photo by Kent Nishimura / AFP) (Photo by KENT NISHIMURA/AFP via Getty Images)

US President Joe Biden (L) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus visit Marios Westside Market grocery store in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 16, 2024. (Photo by Kent Nishimura / AFP) (Photo by KENT NISHIMURA/AFP via Getty Images)

US President Joe Biden (C) visits Marios Westside Market grocery store alongside US Representative Steven Horsford (D-NV) in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 16, 2024. (Photo by Kent Nishimura / AFP) (Photo by KENT NISHIMURA/AFP via Getty Images)

TOPSHOT US President Joe Biden (C-L) greets a young girl during a visit to Marios Westside Market grocery store in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 16, 2024. (Photo by Kent Nishimura / AFP) (Photo by KENT NISHIMURA/AFP via Getty Images)

Dr. Kevin OConnor, the presidents physician, said in a note that Biden presented this afternoon with upper respiratory symptoms, to include rhinorhea (runny nose) and non-productive cough, with general malaise. After the positive COVID-19 test, Biden was prescribed the antiviral drug Paxlovid and has taken his first dose, OConnor said.

Biden was slated to speak at the Unidos event in Las Vegas Wednesday afternoon as part of an effort to rally Hispanic voters ahead of the November election. Instead, he departed for the airport to fly to Delaware, where he had already been planning to spend a long weekend at his home in Rehoboth Beach.

Biden gingerly boarded Air Force One and told reporters traveling with him, I feel good. The president was not wearing a mask as he walked onto Air Force One.

The president had previously been at the Original Lindo Michoacan restaurant in Las Vegas, where he was greeting diners and sat for an interview with Univision.

Originally Published: July 17, 2024 at 6:23 p.m.

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President Biden tests positive for COVID-19 while campaigning in Las Vegas - Daily Press