In a sudden turn of events, First Lady Jill Biden has tested positive for COVID-19 just days before President Joe Biden is set to attend the Group of 20 (G20) summit in India, the White House announced on Monday.
Mrs. Biden, 72 years old, experienced mild symptoms and had last contracted COVID-19 in August of the previous year. President Biden, who is now 80 years old, last tested positive for the virus in July 2022.
In a statement released by her communications director, Elizabeth Alexander, it was confirmed, “This evening, the First Lady tested positive for COVID-19. She will remain at their home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.”
President Biden returned to Washington, D.C. alone from Delaware on Monday evening. Following his wife’s positive test, he was administered a COVID-19 test which came back negative. The White House further stated, “The President will test at a regular cadence this week and monitor for symptoms.”
There has been no immediate response from the White House regarding the potential impact of Jill Biden’s diagnosis on the President’s foreign travel plans. However, the President’s official schedule for the upcoming week, released shortly after the announcement, still shows his intention to travel to New Delhi on Thursday to participate in the G20 summit. Subsequently, he is scheduled to fly to Hanoi on Sunday.
President Biden is currently campaigning for re-election in 2024, with the issue of his age being a prominent concern for voters. As the oldest president to seek a second term, his age has been a topic of debate, with some Republicans contending that he is too old for another four years in the White House. In contrast, Biden’s allies maintain that he remains fit to serve as President.
This unexpected development has added a new dimension to an already contentious political landscape, as the President continues his bid for re-election amidst the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The nation will be closely watching how this situation unfolds in the coming days.
