First Lady Tests Positive for COVID Ahead of Biden's G20 Trip

U.S. President Joe Biden's wife, Jill Biden, has tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of his visit to India to attend the Group of Twenty (G20) summit.

On the 4th (local time), White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated, "Following the First Lady's positive COVID-19 test, President Biden also underwent a COVID-19 test today." The White House confirmed that President Biden tested negative and added, "The President will continue to be regularly tested throughout the week and monitor for any symptoms."

The White House reported that the First Lady is experiencing mild symptoms and is staying at their home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Jill Biden had previously contracted COVID-19 in August last year. When asked whether the First Lady's positive COVID-19 diagnosis might affect President Biden's Asia trip, the White House did not immediately respond.

However, according to foreign media reports, the weekly schedule released by the White House after announcing Jill Biden's positive test includes President Biden's travel to New Delhi, India, on the 7th to attend the G20 summit.

[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

President Biden is also scheduled to visit Vietnam on the 10th, where he will meet with key Vietnamese leaders, including Communist Party Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

Concerns about his health have been raised as he has a busy itinerary in Asia. At 80 years old this year, President Biden is considered elderly and has previously tested positive for COVID-19.

After testing positive for COVID-19 on July 21 last year, President Biden was treated with the antiviral medication Paxlovid while in isolation, and on July 27, six days later, after confirming a final positive test, he delivered a national address.

Three days later, on July 30, he tested positive again but worked from home without significant symptoms. A week later, on August 6, he tested negative on a rapid antigen test. At that time, medical professionals explained this as a "rebound" case observed in some patients treated with Paxlovid.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.