Biden Tests Positive for COVID, Cancels Events in Las Vegas

President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 on July 17 prior to a planned speech at the UnidosUS Annual Conference in Las Vegas.

The speech, which was originally scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Pacific time, was delayed for more than an hour before UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía took the stage to announce that President Biden would no longer be speaking.

“I was just on the phone with President Biden, and he shared his deep disappointment at not being able to join us this afternoon. The president has been at many events, as we all know, and he just tested positive for COVID,” she said.

Ms. Murguía conveyed that President Biden said he was sorry he couldn’t make it to the conference, but that those listening would “hear from him in the future directly.” The president told Ms. Murguía he was taking the necessary steps “to not just protect himself, but to protect all of us.”

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed the news in a statement on July 17, saying that President Biden is “experiencing mild symptoms.”

“Earlier today, following his first event in Las Vegas, President Biden tested positive for COVID-19,” she stated. “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.”

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“The White House will provide regular updates on the president’s status as he continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation,” Ms. Jean-Pierre added.

President Biden boarded Air Force One in Las Vegas at 6:30 p.m. ET.

The president was not wearing a mask as he walked to Air Force One, but leaned out to give the press a thumbs up.

“I feel good,” President Biden said before departing.

According to White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor, the president had a runny nose, cough, and “general malaise.”

He received his first dose of Paxlovid after testing positive, Dr. O’Connor said.

President Biden’s campaign was visiting Las Vegas to make an appeal to Black and Latino voters.

He gave a sit-down interview with Ed Gordon of BET News on July 16. The president said there’s more work to be done in a second administration during the interview.

“The only thing age brings is a little bit of wisdom. And I think I’ve demonstrated I know how to get things done for the country,” President Biden said.

“But there’s more to do, and I’m reluctant to walk away from that.”

Later on Tuesday, he delivered remarks at the 115th NAACP National Convention before participating in an economic summit with Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.).

President Biden had planned to give a speech at the UnidosUS conference highlighting new educational and family opportunities for the Latino community.

Before the announcement, President Biden taped an in-person radio interview with Univision’s radio show “Buena Vibra” and Univision’s morning show “Despierta America,” according to the White House.

The interview took place at The Original Lindo Michoacan Restaurant, a local Latino family-owned restaurant. While there, the president spoke with local supporters and volunteers.