As pressure mounted on Biden to abandon his re-election campaign, he announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19 before canceling an appearance at an event in Las Vegas.
Under pressure from his Democratic colleagues to abandon his re-election campaign, US President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19.
The White House said Biden would self-isolate, and his doctors described his symptoms as mild.
The news came while he was in Las Vegas on Wednesday, where he was scheduled to make a speech to try to drum up support among Latino voters.
Janet Murguia, president and CEO of Unidos USA, told guests that the president apologized and could not appear because he had tested positive for the virus.
“I just got off the phone with President Biden and he expressed his deep disappointment that he could not join us this afternoon. We all know that the president participated in many events. And he just tested positive for COVID,” Murguia said.
The president was earlier in Las Vegas at a restaurant where he greeted diners and was scheduled to do an interview with Univision.
Biden will continue in full office
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden will fly to his home in Delaware, where he will “seclude himself and continue to fulfill his full duties during this time.”
Biden first tested positive for COVID-19 in July 2022. He recovered in less than a week, but tested positive for a rebound event and was finally released in early August.
Biden said in a recent interview that he would consider dropping out of the presidential race if his health became serious.