Jill Biden, the First Lady of the United States, has tested positive for COVID-19 just days before President Joe Biden, who has tested negative for the virus, is set to travel to India for a Group of 20 (G20) summit, as announced by the White House on Monday.
Mrs. Biden, aged 72, experienced mild symptoms and had previously contracted COVID-19 in August of the previous year. President Biden, now 80 years old, last tested positive for the virus in July 2022.
Elizabeth Alexander, the First Lady’s communications director, stated, “This evening, the First Lady tested positive for COVID-19. She will remain at their home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.” President Biden returned from Delaware to the White House on Monday, flying alone.
In response to the First Lady’s positive test, the White House reported, “Following the First Lady’s positive test for Covid-19, President Biden was administered a Covid test this evening, which came back negative. The President will continue to undergo regular testing this week and monitor for any symptoms.”
The White House has not provided an immediate response regarding potential impacts on President Biden’s international travel plans. However, President Biden’s official schedule for the upcoming week, released shortly after the First Lady’s diagnosis was announced, still includes his planned trip to New Delhi for the G20 summit on Thursday, with a subsequent trip to Hanoi scheduled for Sunday.