The US President has cancelled a campaign speech he was scheduled to have in Las Vegas.
“President Biden is vaccinated, boosted, and he is experiencing mild symptoms following a positive COVID-19 test,” a post by the White House on X reads.
“He will be returning to Delaware where he will self-isolate and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time.
“The President presented this afternoon with upper respiratory symptoms, to include rhinorhea (runny nose) and non-productive cough, with general mailaise.
“He felt okay 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.
“Given this, the President will be self-isolating in accordance with CDC guidance for symptomatic individuals. PCR confirmation testing will be pending.
“His symptoms remain mild, his respiratory rate is normal at 16, his temperature is normal at 97.8 and his pulse oximetry is normal at 97%. The President has received his first dose of Paxlovid. He will be self-isolating at his home in Rehoboth.”
It will be recalled that on July 4, the White House said that 81-year-old Biden would not back down in the country’s presidential election despite growing concerns about his age and fitness.
US citizens and even his fellow Democrats fear that the president’s age and mental alertness could make re-election impossible, especially after his shaky performance against Donald Trump in their presidential debate.
The US president acknowledged that age affected his fluency during the debate but insisted that he “could do the job”.
Biden also cited a cold and jet lag as reasons for his feeble performance.
The White House spokesperson has maintained that “The president is clear-eyed, and he is staying in the race.”