(CNN) Kentucky Republican Rand Paul is the first US senator to test positive for coronavirus, according to a statement on Twitter.
“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,” the post said.
Sergio Gor, Paul’s deputy chief of staff, expanded on the tweet saying in a statement, “He (Paul) 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. … Ten days ago, our DC office began operating remotely, hence virtually no staff has had contact with Senator Paul. “
Paul is the third member of Congress to be diagnosed with Covid – as cases spread across the country. Florida Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, a Republican, was the first member of Congress to test positive for coronavirus on March . Democratic Rep. Ben McAdams of Utah also announced he tested positive for the virus.
Several lawmakers have self-quarantined after coming into contact with an individual who tested positive with coronavirus at the Conservative Political Action Conference, including President Donald Trump’s incoming chief of staff, Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina.
Paul’s announcement comes as Congress is in the midst of working to reach a negotiation on a
coronavirus economic stimulus bill
. On Sunday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin met with the top four Congressional leaders about the bill. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said there is no deal yet and that the House will introduce its own bill – something that could significantly draw out the process to finalize legislation.This story has been updated to include a statement from Paul’s office and additional reporting.
CNN’s Manu Raju contributed to this report.
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