United States President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19.

Mr Biden’s “mild” symptoms include a runny nose, dry cough and some fatigue, the White House announced on Thursday.

“This morning, President Biden tested positive for COVID-19. He is fully vaccinated and twice boosted and experiencing very mild symptoms,” said Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. “He has begun taking Paxlovid. Consistent with CDC guidelines, he will isolate at the White House and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time.”

The positive test result came hours before Mr Biden,79, was to leave Washington to Pennsylvania to speak about gun violence prevention and attend a Democratic National Committee fundraiser in Philadelphia. He was also scheduled to travel to Orlando and Tampa, Florida, on Monday.

However Ms Jean-Pierre said Mr Biden would be isolating at the White House “consistent with CDC guidelines.”   

Mr Biden has received two doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine shortly before taking office, a first booster shot in September and an additional dose March 30. Most of the White House staff had tested positive for the virus including Vice President Kamala Harris, who tested positive in April.