BREAKING: President Joe Biden Tests Positive for COVID-19, Confirms White House

Updated On: July 25, 2024 5:54 am

President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19, the White House announced on Thursday, July 18, 2024. The 81-year-old president was experiencing mild symptoms and has been prescribed the antiviral drug Paxlovid.

Biden was on the campaign trail in Las Vegas, Nevada, when he began showing upper respiratory symptoms, including a runny nose and a non-productive cough. After feeling unwell during his first event of the day, Biden underwent COVID-19 testing, which came back positive.

“He is vaccinated and boosted and experiencing mild symptoms,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in the announcement. Biden will be returning to his home in Delaware to self-isolate and continue carrying out his presidential duties remotely.

Mild Symptoms and Treatment

According to the president’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s symptoms include a runny nose, a non-productive cough, and general malaise.However, his respiratory rate, temperature, and oxygen levels are all normal.

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Biden has received his first dose of the antiviral medication Paxlovid, which is intended to help reduce the severity of his COVID-19 infection.He will remain in isolation at his Delaware home until he recovers and tests negative for the virus.

Timing and Political Implications

The positive COVID-19 test comes at a critical juncture for Biden, who has been facing increasing pressure from within his own Democratic party to forgo a run for re-election in 2024.[1][4] Some prominent Democrats, including Representative Adam Schiff of California, have called for Biden to “pass the torch” to a younger candidate .

Recent polls have also shown waning support for Biden among Democratic and independent voters, with around 40% of Democrats and 65% of independents saying they believe Biden is too old to serve as president. Additionally, nearly 60% of Democrats surveyed said they believe Biden should not run for re-election.

Biden has been defiant in the face of these calls, telling one interviewer that only “the Lord Almighty” could persuade him to drop out of the race. However, his positive COVID-19 test could further complicate his path to the Democratic nomination and the general election.

Potential Impact on Campaign

The timing of Biden’s positive test is particularly problematic, as he was scheduled to deliver a speech to the UnidosUS Latino civil rights group in Las Vegas on the day he tested positive.The event was intended to help shore up support among Hispanic voters, a crucial demographic for the Democratic party.

With Biden now in isolation, it remains unclear how long he will be sidelined from the campaign trail. The White House has stated that he will continue to carry out his presidential duties remotely during his self-isolation period. However, the disruption to his campaign schedule could have significant implications for his political fortunes.

Additionally, Biden’s positive test comes as he is locked in a battle with his Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, who is also expected to run for the presidency in 2024. Trump, who recently survived an assassination attempt, has been holding a triumphant convention this week, further complicating the political landscape for Biden.

Conclusion

President Joe Biden’s positive COVID-19 test is a significant development in the 2024 presidential race, coming at a time when he is facing increasing pressure from within his own party and declining support among voters. The mild nature of his symptoms and his continued commitment to carrying out his duties remotely may help mitigate the political fallout, but the disruption to his campaign schedule could still have lasting consequences.

As Biden recovers and continues his fight for the Democratic nomination, the coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining the trajectory of his political future and the direction of the 2024 presidential race.