‘I’m sick’: Biden tests positive for COVID-19

United States President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 while visiting Las Vegas on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

The White House said Biden, under pressure from fellow Democrats to drop his re-election campaign, is self-isolating after experiencing mild symptoms.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced the positive test for the 81-year-old president after Biden cancelled a speech due to the diagnosis.

“He is vaccinated and boosted and experiencing mild symptoms,” Jean-Pierre said.

As he boarded Air Force One to depart Las Vegas to recuperate in Delaware, Biden told reporters: “Good, I feel good.”

However, he climbed the stairs slowly, holding the railing tightly and pausing a few steps in and again towards the top.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Biden wrote: “I’m sick.”

The illness comes at a crucial time for Biden, who has been losing ground in battleground states against Republican Donald Trump, who is headlining a triumphant convention this week after he survived an assassination attempt on Saturday.

The White House said Biden planned to spend a long weekend at his Delaware beach house. It was unclear how long the sickness would keep him for the campaign trail.