Toba Owojaiye Reporting
The White House has reported that First Lady Jill Biden has tested positive for COVID-19, marking a concerning development just days before President Joe Biden’s planned attendance at the Group of 20 summit in India.
President Biden himself has tested negative for the virus. Jill Biden, aged 72, is currently experiencing mild symptoms and had previously contracted COVID in August of the previous year. In contrast, the President, now 80 years old, had last tested positive in July 2022.
In a statement, Elizabeth Alexander, the First Lady’s communications director, confirmed the diagnosis and revealed that Jill Biden would remain at their home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, during her recovery. Following the First Lady’s positive test, the White House promptly administered a COVID test to President Biden, which returned negative results. The President is scheduled for regular testing throughout the week while keeping a close eye on any potential symptoms.
The impact of this development on President Biden’s international travel plans remains uncertain. His official schedule, released shortly after the announcement of the First Lady’s diagnosis, still includes a trip to New Delhi for the G20 summit on Thursday, with further plans to visit Hanoi on Sunday.
As Biden continues his bid for re-election in 2024, the question of his age continues to be a prominent issue in the campaign, with some Republicans arguing that he is too old for another term. Conversely, Biden’s supporters contend that he remains physically and mentally capable of serving as President.