It was announced on Sunday, March 22 that Republican Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky has tested positive for coronavirus, becoming the first known US senator to do so.
Paul, who is asymptomatic, was tested as a precautionary measure and claims not to have had direct contact with an infected person.
A statement shared on his Twitter page reads;
“Senator Rand Paul has tested positive for COVID-19.
“He is feeling fine and is in quarantine. He is asymptomatic and was tested out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events. He was not aware of any direct contact with any infected person.
“He expects to be back in the Senate after his quarantine period ends and will continue to work for the people of Kentucky at this difficult time,” the thread continued. Ten days ago, our D.C. office began operating remotely, hence virtually no staff has had contact with Senator Rand Paul.”
According to GOP senators who spoke to CNN, Paul was in the gym with colleagues on Sunday morning, and some highlighted his proximity to others during recent Senate lunches. Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas mentioned seeing Paul in the Senate swimming pool on Sunday, according to a source in the GOP lunch.
Paul is the third member of Congress to announce a positive test for coronavirus, following Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., and Ben McAdams, D-Utah.
The United States continues to struggle with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, with a record 13,960 new cases reported on Sunday, bringing the national total to 38,167. Additionally, there were 94 new deaths, bringing the total to 396.