Reprinted with permission from Alternet

U.S. Sen Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) has tested positive for coronavirus, he announced Sunday.

Paul, 57, said on Twitter that he’s asymptomatic and “feeling fine.”

He is the first U.S. Senator and third member of Congress to test positive for coronavirus, according to Politico.

Paul, who has been in office since 2011, was tested to be cautious because he travels extensively and appears at a large amount of public events, his office said. He expects to get back to work after his quarantine ends.

The senator’s Washington D.C. office closed 10 days ago with staff working remotely. “Virtually” none of his staff has had contact with Paul, his office said.

More than 30,000 people in the United States have been infected by COVID-19. There have been 398 deaths in the U.S., according to Johns Hopkins University.

In Paul’s home state, there are 89 coronavirus cases. Three people have died.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.