Washington: US Senator Rand Paul, Republican from the state of Kentucky, confirmed on Sunday that he tested positive for the coronavirus, making him the first member of the upper chamber of Congress to be infected by the virus.
"Senator Rand Paul has tested positive for COVID-19. He is feeling fine and is in quarantine," read a tweet on the senator's official Twitter account, Xinhua reported.
The senator, the tweet continued, "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."
It added that the senator "expects to be back in the Senate after his quarantine period ends," and that his office was closed 10 days ago, "hence virtually no staff has had contact with Senator Rand Paul."
The senator's confirmed infection came after two members of the House -- Republican Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida and Democrat Ben McAdams of Utah -- tested positive on Wednesday.
President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, who has been appointed to lead the White House coronavirus task force, have also been tested amid concerns of contact with individuals sickened by the virus. Their results are both negative.
Confirmed cases and fatalities both continued to surge nationwide, reaching 31,057 and 390, respectively, according to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University updated on Sunday noon.
For all the latest News, Opinions and Views, download ummid.com App.
Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
Roads, streets wear a deserted look as India begins 'Janata Curfew'
Also Read
Coronavirus: PM Modi calls for daylong 'Janata Curfew' on Sunday
India adds 03 more to its Coronavirus death total
Indian Railways cancels all passenger, express trains till March 31
Kanika Kapoor Coronavirus Trail: A Tale of Two Cities
Bollywood singer tests Coronavirus positive at Lucknow VIP party
COVID-19 suspect BJP MP met President Kovind, Hema Malini, Mary Kom
200 Indian students stranded at Kazakhstan airport
Iran Coronavirus toll 1284, Israel 2nd worst-hit in Mid-East
Coronavirus: Friday prayers suspended in over a dozen Muslim majority countries
With a tweak, Shaheen Bagh protest to continue on 'Janta Curfew'
Anti-CAA Protest: Two women faint as UP Police use force to clear Clock Tower
Two Former Ambassadors Skirmish on Shaheen Bagh
"Not scared of Coronavirus": Shaheen Bagh protest completes 90 days
Watch: Amit Shah's speeches that fuelled anti-CAA protests across India
'When your ancesters were licking boots of British': Awhad tears into BJP govt over CAA
Mumbai, Bengaluru anti-CAA protests continue amid Coronavirus scare
CAA-NRC bigger threat than Coronavirus: Shaheen Bagh protesters
COVID-19 Impact: Digital tools keep classes on as schools, colleges shut