President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday afternoon while visiting Las Vegas. His scheduled appearance at the UnidosUS conference on Wednesday was canceled due to his diagnosis.
The President was at a restaurant in East Las Vegas on Wednesday afternoon and was supposed to speak later at the UnidosUS conference, an organization advocating for Latinos, but his participation was canceled after his diagnosis, the event organizer said. He was also scheduled to participate in a community event after the conference.
President Biden visited the Lindo Michoacán restaurant for a planned exclusive interview with Univisión. After journalists were led outside around 1:30 p.m., they waited for over an hour and a half in vans outside the restaurant, much longer than planned.
A statement from the White House said the President was “experiencing mild symptoms” and will isolate at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where he will “fully perform all his duties during that time.”
His doctor stated that he was given a dose of Paxlovid and that his temperature is normal, but he had symptoms in the upper respiratory tract, such as nasal congestion and “non-productive cough.”
Janet Murguia, President and CEO of UnidosUS, mentioned that 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 recommended precautions and obviously did not want to put anyone at risk,” she emphasized in a statement.
Biden has been in Las Vegas since Monday and spoke at an NAACP conference on Tuesday and at an economic summit with Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV).
This is not the first time President Biden has tested positive for COVID-19. He previously tested positive in 2022.
In light of this recent diagnosis, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat of COVID-19 and the importance of following safety guidelines to protect oneself and others. It also highlights the impact that the virus can have on individuals regardless of their status or position. As President Biden continues to fulfill his duties while isolating, it underscores the need for everyone to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to combat the spread of the virus.
