Republican senator Dr. Rand Paul from Kentucky, a libertarian and a supporter of the anti-tax Tea Party movement and immigrants is the first senator and first member of the U.S. Congress to test positive for COVID-19. He's now in self-quarantine. Paul is the third member of Congress to test positive for the disease. On March 18, two congressmen -- Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Rep. Ben McAdams (D-UT) -- said they're positive for COVID-19.
Four senators (all Republicans) and 12 congressmen are now in home quarantine after coming into contact with persons later confirmed with COVID-19. None are positive for COVID-19, however. In all, 17 members of the US. Congress are either confirmed with the virus or are in home isolation. Four of these people are senators. Seven of the 13 members of the House in-home quarantine are Democrats.
Paul's close friend and Republican colleague, Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, announced he's gone into 14-day quarantine after being advised to do so by his doctor. Paul's positive diagnosis has rattled the 55 other Republican senators, who were with Paul at a closed-door lunch before Paul revealed the news. Lee then announced is home isolation.
On the Senate floor, Senate Majority Whip John Thune of South Dakota said senators (both Republican and Democrat) will be seeking medical advice.
"We'll consult with the attending physician here at the Capitol about appropriate measures for those of us who have been in contact with the senator, but this is the kind of situation that Americans across the country are dealing with right now and it underscores the importance of acting immediately to deliver more relief for the American people," said Thune.
Three other senators (all Republicans) are in self-quarantine for 14 days: Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Rick Scott of Florida and Ted Cruz of Texas. All these men came into contact with an individual later testing positive for COVID-19. No Democratic senator has either gone into self-quarantine or has tested positive for the coronavirus.
Paul was also in the gym with colleagues Sunday morning, and had gone swimming, according to GOP colleagues. Other GOP senators revealed Paul had sat close to others during Senate GOP lunches in recent days. Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas confirmed Paul took a swim at the Senate swimming pool Sunday while awaiting the result of his COVID-19 test.
"This is a different ballgame now," said one Republican senator to CNN.
Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah revealed all senators are going to seek medical advice as to what action we should take to make sure they don't in any way spread this virus
"We had a lunch together with Rand, and hope he's doing very well, but we have to determine whether any of us should self-quarantine as a result of being in the same room," said Romney.
Paul's office claimed the senator is doing well.
"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," said a statement from Paul's office.
Sergio Gor, Paul's deputy chief of staff, said 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 D.C. office began operating remotely, hence virtually no staff has had contact with Senator Paul."
Senate Democrats ended their caucus lunch and said they'll continue discussions over the phone after learning Paul tested positive for the coronavirus, said Alabama Sen. Doug Jones. He cited concerns about "congregating."
