Senator Rand Paul Contracts Coronavirus; Senators Self-Quarantine

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who news reports say was in close contact with other senators as recently as Sunday morning, has tested positive for the new coronavirus, according to his official Twitter account.

The New York Times reported Paul had been tested a week ago after being in the company of two people who had tested positive for the virus. Rather than self-quarantine, he mingled with other senators over the past week, including Sunday morning, just prior to the announcement.

"He is feeling fine and is in quarantine," said a statement posted to Paul's Twitter account. "He is asymptomatic and was tested out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events."

Paul is now the first senator to test positive for the virus.

Sen. Mike Lee and Sen. Mitt Romney, both Utah Republicans, announced Sunday that they would self-quarantine because of their recent contact with Paul.

CNN reported he had been in closed-door meetings with Senate colleagues in recent days and joined several if them in the gym Sunday morning, before the announcement of testing positive.

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.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) March 22, 2020

"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," reads a second statement posted to Paul's official Twitter account. "Ten days ago, our D.C. office began operating remotely, hence virtually no staff has had contact with Senator Rand Paul."

Paul has a history of lung damage as a result of a broken rib suffered from an altercation with a neighbor in 2017. In 2019, he had part of his lungs removed in a surgery.

Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., and Ben McAdams, D-Utah, announced last week they had tested positive for the virus and dozens of other lawmakers who fear they may have been exposed have undergone self-quarantines.

This is a breaking story, please check back in for updates.