U.S. President Joe Biden's doctor confirmed on Thursday that he continues to perform his official duties while infected with the coronavirus. Doctor Kevin O'Connor stated in a message released by the White House that Biden is experiencing mild upper respiratory symptoms related to his COVID-19 infection, adding that "the president's vital signs remain normal." Biden is continuing treatment with the antiviral drug Paxlovid, O'Connor confirmed in his message.
Biden's COVID-19 infection comes at a sensitive time, amidst calls for him to withdraw from the upcoming presidential election in November. Democrats at the highest levels are trying to pressure Biden to reconsider his bid for re-election, while discomfort grows within the White House and his campaign. Former President Barack Obama has expressed concerns in private sessions about Biden's candidacy, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has similarly warned that Democrats could lose control of the House if Biden does not step aside from the presidential race.
Biden has affirmed that he will continue and will not back down, insisting that he is the candidate who previously defeated Republican Donald Trump and will do so again this year. In response to a question about the possibility of Biden withdrawing and accepting the idea of exiting the presidential race, his campaign's Deputy Manager Quentin Fox stated on Thursday that he "will not back down on anything."
