Joe Biden’s Covid “Have Improved Meaningfully,” Physician States; POTUS Says He Will Return To Campaign Trail Next Week — Update

UPDATE: Joe Biden‘s Covid symptoms “have improved meaningfully,” according to his doctor, while his reelection campaign said that he will return to the campaign trail next week.

The president took his fourth dose of Paxlovid this morning, and “his loose, non-productive cough and hoarseness continue to be his primary symptoms, but they have improved meaningfully from yesterday,” said the president’s physician, Kevin O’Connor, in a statement. “His pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate and temperature remain absolutely normal. His oxygen saturation continue to be excellent on room air. His lungs remain clear.”

Meanwhile, in a statement released by the campaign, Biden said, “I look forward to getting back on the campaign trail next week to continue exposing the threat of Donald Trump’s Project 2025 agenda while making the case for my own record and the vision that I have for America: one where we save our democracy, protect our rights and freedoms, and create opportunity for everyone.”

But more House Democratic lawmakers — Jared Huffman, Marc Veasey, Chuy Garcia and Mark Pocan — called for Biden to exit the race. On Morning Joe, Biden’s campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon said that “absolutely” Biden was in the race, but she argued that there were still multiple paths to victory.

“We know that we’ve slipped a bit from the debate, and we know that the president has to prove to the American people exactly what he believes,” she said.

PREVIOUSLY: Joe Biden “does not have a fever and his vital signs remain normal, the White House physician said in a statement today, one day after the president’s Covid diagnosis forced him into isolation at his home in Rehoboth Beach, DE.

Dr. Kevin C. O’Connor, physician to the president, said that Biden “is still experiencing mild upper respiratory symptoms associated’ with Covid. He also is continuing to received Paxlovid.

“He will continue to conduct the business of the American people,” O’Connor said.

After his Covid diagnosis on Wednesday, Biden canceled a planned speech in Las Vegas.

His diagnosis comes amid Democratic calls for him to exit the race, given concerns about his age. Earlier today, Axios reported that several unnamed top Democrats believe that Biden will decide to drop out of the presidential race.

The Biden campaign’s TJ Ducklo responded on X/Twitter, “Joe Biden is his party’s nominee. He’s the President of the United States. He’s running for reelection. Baseless conjecture from anonymous sources isn’t a scoop. Tonight a convicted felon will talk about how he’ll make people’s lives worse if he gains power. Let’s focus.”

The reference was to Donald Trump’s speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this evening.