Biden tests negative for coronavirus, heads to Michigan

[WILMINGTON, United States] Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said Friday he has tested negative for Covid-19, three days after his debate with Donald Trump, who has contracted the illness.

The 77-year-old former vice president opted to maintain a scheduled trip to Michigan, a key battleground state in his campaign to unseat the Republican incumbent.

Mr Biden is currently leading Mr Trump in opinion polls ahead of the November 3 election.

"I'm happy to report that Jill and I have tested negative for Covid," Mr Biden said. "I hope this serves as a reminder: wear a mask, keep social distance, and wash your hands."

Minutes before, his doctor Kevin O'Connor issued a statement via Mr Biden's campaign about the negative result.

"Vice President Joe Biden and Dr Jill Biden underwent PCR testing for Covid-19 today and Covid-19 was not detected," Dr O'Connor said.

Mr Trump's positive diagnosis - announced in the early hours of Friday after one of his senior aides, Hope Hicks, tested positive - has jolted the race for the White House with a month to go.

In Michigan, a Midwestern state Mr Trump won in 2016 when he defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton, Mr Biden was to visit Grand Rapids, the state's second-largest city, to talk about his economic revitalisation plans.

Earlier, he wished his 74-year-old adversary and his wife Melania a swift recovery from Covid-19.

"Jill and I send our thoughts to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a swift recovery," Mr Biden tweeted.

"We will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his family."

Mr Biden's running mate Kamala Harris put out a similar tweet, saying she and her husband Doug are "keeping them and the entire Trump family in our thoughts."

Vice-President Mike Pence has tested negative, his spokesman said on Friday.

Mr Biden and Mr Trump met on the debate stage in Ohio on Tuesday.

Everyone in attendance had tested negative before the debate. Mr Trump's family arrived in masks, but later removed them, moderator Chris Wallace said.

It can take several days for a person infected with Covid-19 to test positive.

AFP