Biden still hasn't been seen since bombshell 2024 announcement, as COVID isolation continues

President Biden has not made any public appearances since a letter was released announcing his decision to not seek re-election and endorse Vice President Harris as the Democratic nominee for the upcoming election. In the letter, released on Sunday, Biden stated that he believes stepping down is in the best interest of his party and the country, and that he will focus on fulfilling his presidential duties for the remainder of his term. According to his public schedule, Biden was at his residence in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, when the letter was shared on social media, although he had no official events scheduled for that day or the following Monday. The White House has not provided further details about the president's schedule for the rest of the week.

The recent absence from public view follows Biden's self-isolation after testing positive for COVID-19 last week. His physician, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, provided an update on Friday, stating that Biden had completed his sixth dose of Paxlovid and was experiencing mild symptoms such as a cough and hoarseness, but his overall health was improving. Dr. O'Connor also mentioned that Biden has the KP .2.3 variant, which is a prevalent strain in the US according to the CDC.

Despite his recovery, Biden's schedule remains light. However, it has been confirmed that he will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House this week, although the exact timing is yet to be determined due to Biden's recovery. Netanyahu has already departed for Washington, DC, and is expected to address Congress on Wednesday, as well as meet with Vice President Harris. Netanyahu emphasized the importance of Israel's relationship with the US and its bipartisan support, regardless of who becomes the next president. The Associated Press contributed additional information to this report.