President Joe Biden has contracted Covid-19, his aides announced, as the 81-year-old president faces increasing pressure from fellow Democrats to bow out of the 2024 election race against

Donald Trump. Biden, who tested positive while traveling in Las Vegas on Wednesday, is experiencing "mild symptoms" and has returned to his Delaware home to self-isolate, according to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

White House physician Dr. Kevin O'Connor reported that Biden is suffering from upper respiratory symptoms, including a runny nose, cough, and general malaise. Despite this, Biden told reporters, "I feel good," as he boarded Air Force One without a mask.

Biden, the oldest person to serve as U.S. president, has faced intense scrutiny over his physical and mental health, particularly following a recent debate performance against Trump. Representative Adam Schiff of California, a prominent Democrat close to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has called on Biden to step down. Schiff stated, "While the choice to withdraw from the campaign is President Biden's alone, I believe it is time for him to pass the torch. And in doing so, secure his legacy of leadership by allowing us to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming election."

In an interview with BET News journalist Ed Gordon, Biden addressed his health and the factors that might make him reconsider running for the November 5 election. "If I had some medical condition that emerged," Biden said. "If doctors came to me and said, ‘you got this problem, that problem’.” He added, "I think I've demonstrated that I know how to get things done for the country... But there's more to do, and I'm reluctant to walk away from that."

Biden emphasized at a recent news conference that none of his doctors have diagnosed him with any new medical conditions. Reflecting on his candidacy, Biden mentioned that he initially saw himself as a transitional candidate but didn't anticipate the current level of division. "Quite frankly, I think the only thing age brings is a little bit of wisdom," he said.

Senior Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, are reportedly concerned about Biden's chances against Trump and have privately urged him to reconsider his candidacy. There have been calls within the Democratic National Committee to delay a virtual vote to renominate Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, initially planned for as early as Sunday, ahead of the Chicago convention.

Polling data has shown Biden trailing Trump in key battleground states, while Democratic candidates for governor and senator appear to be outperforming their Republican rivals in those same states. A recent poll by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research revealed that nearly two-thirds of Democrats nationwide believe Biden should step aside and allow the party to nominate a different candidate. Photo by Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia commons.