Biden tests positive for COVID-19, plans to isolate in Delaware

President Biden has tested positive for COVID-19, the White House announced Wednesday evening.

Biden is “experiencing mild symptoms” and “will be returning to Delaware where he will self-isolate and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

The president experienced upper respiratory symptoms, a runny nose and a cough before receiving a COVID-19 test, according to the White House. Biden plans to isolate in Delaware and received his first dose of Paxlovid.

“The President presented this afternoon with upper respiratory symptoms, to include rhinorrhea (runny nose) and non-productive cough, with general malaise. 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,” his doctor said in a statement.

The doctor added that PCR confirmation testing will be pending, Biden’s 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 percent.

The president was expected to speak at a conference in Las Vegas on Wednesday afternoon, but UnidosUS President Janet Murguía came out on stage to tell the audience waiting for him that he tested positive.

“Regrettably, 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,” she said.

Biden, 81, left Las Vegas soon after his positive test was announced. He boarded Air Force One and was not wearing a mask.

“Good,” he said. “I feel good.” 

Earlier on Wednesday, Biden participated in a campaign event at a local Mexican food restaurant around 1:45 p.m. PDT. He took selfies with guests at three different booths and invited other patrons from other booths to get into the photograph, according to reporters traveling with him.

The president then taped an in-person radio interview with Luis Sandoval, host of Univision’s radio show “Buena Vibra” and reporter for Univision’s morning show “Despierta America.”

The positive COVID-19 test came a day after Biden spoke to the NAACP national convention in Las Vegas and was interviewed by BET’s Ed Gordon. On Monday, he was interviewed by NBC’s Lester Holt at the White House before getting on Air Force One to travel to Las Vegas.

On both Saturday and Sunday, the president gave remarks in front of reporters, in Rehoboth, Del., and the White House, respectively, following the assassination attempt on former President Trump.

The president last tested positive in July 2022 and also took Paxlovid.

Updated at 6:45 p.m. EDT