Obama tells allies Biden's path to winning reelection diminished, US paper says

A major US newspaper says former President Barack Obama has told allies in recent days that President Joe Biden's path to winning reelection has greatly diminished. It says Obama has also told associates that Biden needs to seriously consider the viability of his candidacy.

He backed Biden following the president's faltering performance in a televised debate against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump late last month, but has publicly remained silent since then.

Biden has been self-isolating at his home in the eastern state of Delaware since he tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday. A physician treating Biden released a statement on Thursday, saying the president is still experiencing mild upper respiratory symptoms and remains on medication. An official of the Biden camp told reporters on Thursday that the president will continue his reelection bid.