Rand Paul announces he's no longer positive for coronavirus, will volunteer at local hospital in Kentucky
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) announced Tuesday that he was re-tested for the novel COVID-19 coronavirus — about two weeks after he was diagnosed despite being asymptomatic — and is no longer positive for the disease.
While it's uncertain to what extent and for how long people develop immunity after they recover from the virus, the consensus seems to be that people are protected for at least a little while. So, Paul, who is a physician, plans to volunteer at a local Kentucky hospital to lend an extra hand as health care systems around the country deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
I appreciate all the best wishes I have received. I have been retested and I am negative. I have started volunteering at a local hospital to assist those in my community who are in need of medical help, including Coronavirus patients. Together we will overcome this! pic.twitter.com/9SeypT7rL6
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) April 7, 2020
Paul was the first and, to date, only member of the Senate to test positive for COVID-19. He drew some criticism for taking a test despite a lack of symptoms amid a shortage of tests nationwide.
More stories from theweek.com
Dr. Anthony Fauci cautiously predicts kids will return to school next fall, 'but it's going to be different'
New Delhi's pollution reading can sometimes hit 500 on the Air Quality Index. Last week it recorded a reading of 38.
The coming backlash against the public health experts
