US President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19, according to the White House.
Biden was expected to speak at a UnidosUS conference in Las Vegas on Wednesday night, but cancelled an hour and a half after he was scheduled to appear.
He had tested positive earlier that day after an event in Las Vegas.
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“The president presented this afternoon with upper respiratory symptoms, including rhinorhea (runny nose) and non-productive cough, with general malaise,” a note from Biden’s doctor provided by White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
“He felt OK 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 president’s doctor said Biden had received his first dose of Paxlovid, and will be self-isolating at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, in line with US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention guidance.
White House confirmation came after president and CEO of UnidosUS Janet Murguía told the waiting conference attendees: “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.”
The US President previously contracted COVID-19 in 2022, but reported mild symptoms and a speedy recovery after five days spent in isolation.
Biden’s health has been under scrutiny in the lead up to the US election, where he will compete for his presidency against Republican nominee Donald Trump.
A series of verbal gaffes in recent weeks — including one at a NATO Summit press conference where the 81-year-old introduced Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky as “Putin” — have raised concerns worldwide.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has so far dismissed concerns and said that Biden passed his annual health check, but the 81-year-old’s rivals pointed out that he didn’t complete a cognitive test.
