Joe Biden could miss G20 summit as White House takes 'extra precautions' after Jill Biden's positive Covid test
Joe Biden could miss his trip to India for the G20 summit, taking place this weekend
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Joe Biden could miss his trip to India for the G20 summit, taking place this weekend, after his wife, Jill Biden, tested positive for the virus.
Dr Chris Papadopoulos told GB News that the President would need to switch to "online participation" and send delegates in his place if he is to test positive in the coming days.
While Biden tested negative today, he may still develop symptoms. He is scheduled to leave for India on Thursday.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the President will "test at a regular cadence this week and monitor for symptoms".
Last year's G20 took place in Indonesia
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Jill Biden tested positive for Covid on Monday evening after the Bidens spent Labor Day weekend together. This is the the second time the first lady has tested positive for the virus.
In a statement, the first lady's communications director, Elizabeth Alexander, said: "She is currently experiencing only mild symptoms. She will remain at their home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware".
Papadopoulos, who is the Principal lecturer in Public Health at the University of Bedfordshire, said the White House will take "extra precautions" with the 80-year old President given his age and health status.
He warned that international travel could take an "additional toll" on his health.
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Should Biden test positive, the expert added, Biden would be under political pressure to switch to online participation "since questions would be raised about his decision to knowingly put others at risk".
But he noted that it would be unlikely for the President to miss the summit unless he tests positive in a subsequent test or develops symptoms.
The G20 summit, a gathering of world leaders, is taking place from September 9 to 10 in India.
Other G20 leaders attending include the German chancellor Olaf Scholz and French president Emmanuel Macron.
Papadopoulos told GB News that White House doctors are likely to advise the President to take "extra precautions, including frequent testing and limiting close contact with others, especially his wife, until she recovers.
He added: "They would also advise him to be vigilant about any symptoms, however mild, and to report them immediately.
"They'll also recommend reducing his stress levels as much as possible, since stress weakens the immune system and thus increases the likelihood of infection.
Jill Biden tested positive for Covid on Monday evening atfer the Bidens spent Labor Day weekend together
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"They may suggest that he shift some of his in-person meetings online to protect others during this period."
He added: "If President Biden were to catch Covid-19, there is some evidence to suggest that the virus could potentially impact cognitive function, particularly in older adults.
"However, both the President and the First Lady are vaccinated and have received boosters, which research shows offer good protection against such symptoms."