US President Joe Biden, in Nevada as part of his re-election campaign in November, has been found to be infected with the new coronavirus and is showing "mild symptoms" of it COVID-19, the White House announced yesterday Wednesday.
The Democratic head of state, 81, "fully vaccinated," has a runny nose, cough, general malaise and has been given his first dose of Paxlovid; he will remain in isolation for some 24 hours after returning to his stronghold of Rehoboth, Delaware, exercising his duties remotely, his services assured.
"I feel good," Biden told reporters as he boarded Air Force One, the presidential plane, as doubts about his physical and mental health resurface and officials in his party call for him to retire.
President Biden is vaccinated, boosted, and he is experiencing mild symptoms following a positive COVID-19 test.
He will be returning to Delaware where he will self-isolate and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time.
A note from @POTUSDoctor:…
- The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 17, 2024
Joe Biden's post
I tested positive for COVID-19 this afternoon, but I am feeling good and thank everyone for the well wishes.
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.- President Biden (@POTUS) July 17, 2024
"This afternoon I tested positive for COVID-19, but I feel good and thank you all for the well wishes. I will self-isolate as I recover, and during this time I will continue to work to get the job done for the American people."
Biden: I would consider retiring if there was a medical reason
Joe Biden said in an interview released Wednesday that he would reconsider staying in the presidential race if there was a medical reason.
According to the New York Times, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, the White House physician, wrote after the president's medical examination in February that he is "a healthy, active, robust, 81-year-old man who remains able to successfully perform duties of the presidency". But his appearance at a debate with Donald Trump last month, which prompted a wave of calls from Democratic allies for him to drop out, raised questions about his health and acuity.
In an interview with BET News' Ed Gordon, Biden was asked if there was anything that would make him reconsider staying in the race: “If I had a medical condition that came up, if someone, if the doctors came to me and said, you have this problem and that problem," said Biden.
Earlier this month, Biden said during an interview with ABC News that he would only drop out of the race if "the Lord Almighty" told him to.
Biden's remarks come amid growing calls from Democrats to withdraw his candidacy for the November election.
Source: protothema.gr