President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19, the White House announced in a statement on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that Mr. Biden is “vaccinated and boosted and is experiencing mild symptoms.”
The positive test result followed an event Mr. Biden attended in Nevada. Consequently, the president will be returning to his private residence in Delaware, “where he will self-isolate and continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time,” the report noted.
According to the statement, Mr. Biden’s doctor mentioned that the president had shown “upper respiratory symptoms” in the afternoon, including a runny nose and a cough. The results of a PCR confirmation test are still pending, but the president has received the first dose of the COVID-19 drug Paxlovid.
Due to his advanced age, the President is considered at higher risk of becoming severely ill from COVID-19. This development comes amidst ongoing debates surrounding Mr. Biden’s mental acuity and physical condition ahead of the November presidential election.
The American electorate and political analysts are scrutinizing the President’s capacity to lead the nation for another four years. Meanwhile, his major rival, Donald Trump, has officially secured the nomination of the opposition Republican Party ahead of the poll.
