Biden tests positive for Covid-19, cancels event in Las Vegas

US President Joe Biden, under fire from fellow Democrats to drop his re-election campaign, tested positive for Covid-19 while on a trip to Las Vegas on July 17, and is experiencing mild symptoms, the White House said.

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White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced the positive test for the 81-year-old Democrat after the president of UnidosUS, a Latino civil rights organisation, said Mr Biden would not be able to speak at a scheduled event due to the diagnosis.

"He is vaccinated and boosted, and experiencing mild symptoms," Ms Jean-Pierre said.

The President's symptoms include a runny nose, cough and "general malaise", according to a note from the White House attributed to Mr Biden's doctor.

He was prescribed and took his first dose of Pfizer's Paxlovid antiviral medication. He had a normal temperature, respiratory rate and pulse oximetry.

Minutes after the announcement, the President's motorcade was on the move from taping a radio interview in Las Vegas to the Las Vegas airport.

The President was returning to Delaware to self-isolate, the White House said.