White House confirms Biden has COVID-19, says symptoms are mild

The White House said US President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 during a trip to Las Vegas for a campaign rally on Wednesday, adding that he was "experiencing mild symptoms."

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced the 81-year-old Democratic president had tested positive for the coronavirus after the head of Unidos America, a Latino civil rights organization, said Biden would not be able to attend a planned event because of his infection.

"He (President Biden) received the Covid vaccine and the booster dose and is experiencing mild symptoms," Jean-Pierre said.

In a related context, ABC News reported on Wednesday that the leader of the Democrats in the US Senate, Chuck Schumer, told President Joe Biden in a meeting last Saturday that it would be better for the country and the Democratic Party if he withdrew from the presidential race, at a time when calls are increasing for Biden to withdraw from the presidential race.