TheCable

Rand Paul, a republican senator in the United States, has tested positive for the coronavirus.

The senator’s office disclosed this via his Twitter handle on Sunday.

It said Paul is not showing any symtoms, and conducted the test “out of caution”.

“Senator Rand Paul has tested positive for COVID-19. He is feeling fine and is in quarantine,” it wrote.

“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.”

It added that the senator’s office in Washington DC began operating remotely 10 days ago, “hence virtually no staff has had contact with Senator Rand Paul”.

Paul is said to be the only senator to vote against US’ first round of emergency coronavirus funding of $8 billion earlier in March.

Two members of the US house of representatives had also been infected with the virus.

About 13,960 new cases of the virus were confirmed in the US — with 94 fresh deaths.

This brings the total cases of the infection in the country to 38,167, while 396 have died so far.