Biden tests positive for COVID during Las Vegas trip; cancels speech
President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 Wednesday afternoon while visiting Las Vegas.
Biden visited a restaurant in East Las Vegas early Wednesday afternoon, and was scheduled to later speak at a conference for UnidosUS, a Latino advocacy organization, but that was canceled after his diagnosis, the organizer of the event said. He was also scheduled to participate in a community event after the conference.
The president visited the Lindo Michoacán restaurant for a planned exclusive interview with Univision. After reporters were ushered outside at around 1:30 p.m., they waited for more than an hour and a half in vans outside of the restaurant, far longer than had been planned.
A White House statement said that the president was "experiencing mild symptoms" and will self-isolate at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where he will "carry out all of his duties fully during that time."
His doctor said he was given a dose of Paxlovid and that his temperature is normal but he had upper respiratory symptoms, including a runny nose and "non-productive cough.".
Janet Murguía, president and CEO of UnidosUS, said she spoke with Biden and he expressed "his deep disappointment at not being able to join us this afternoon."
"So of course we understand that he needs to take the precautions that have been recommended and he did not obviously want to put anybody at risk," she said in a statement.
Biden has been in Las Vegas since Monday and spoke at an NAACP conference Tuesday and an economic summit with Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV).
Biden last tested positive for COVID in 2022.
Updated on 7/17/2024 at 4:06 p.m. to add more information.
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