Biden tests positive for Covid, fueling health worries

LAS VEGAS, United States — US President Joe Biden tested positive for Covid with mild symptoms Wednesday, shortly after conceding he would consider dropping his reelection bid if doctors diagnosed him with a serious medical condition.

The 81-year-old Democrat gave reporters the thumbs up and said "I feel good" as he cut short a campaign trip to Las Vegas and flew to his beach home in Delaware to go into isolation.

Biden thanked well-wishers on X, adding that "I will be isolating as I recover, and during this time I will continue to work to get the job done for the American people."

But the infection comes at a critical moment for Biden's campaign, after a disastrous debate performance against rival Donald Trump sparked concerns about his health and calls from some Democrats for him to step aside

It is also the latest development in a tumultuous few days in an already frenetic White House race that saw his Republican Trump survive an assassination attempt at a campaign rally of his own.

Biden was forced to cancel a speech to a union representing Latino workers who will be crucial for his election bid, having attended a campaign event earlier in the day and given a radio interview.

His spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden was vaccinated and boosted, was now taking the Covid medication Paxlovid and "continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation."

White House doctor Kevin O'Connor said Biden had complained of suffering from a runny nose, a cough and "general malaise," and after attending the campaign event he tested positive.

"His symptoms remain mild," O'Connor said, adding that Biden's respiratory rate, temperature and blood oxygen levels all remained normal.

Biden was seen walking from his limousine to his plane at Las Vegas without a mask. "Good," he said when asked how he felt, "I feel good."

Janet Murguia, the president of the Unidos union for Latino workers, told the crowd about the diagnosis shortly before the White House announcement.

"I was just on the phone with President Biden, and he shared his deep disappointment at not being able to join us this afternoon," she said.

People waiting for the speech said Biden's health did