Washington: Kentucky Senator Rand Paul says he was tested a week ago for the novel coronavirus, but continued working at the Capitol because he had no symptoms of the illness and believed it was "highly unlikely" he was sick.

Republican Senator Rand Paul contracted coronavirus. Credit:AP

Paul also said he did not have direct contact with anyone who tested positive for the virus or was sick.

Paul announced on Sunday that he had tested positive for the virus, becoming the first case of COVID-19 in the US Senate and raising fears about further transmission of the virus among senators, including more than two dozen who are in their 70's or 80's.

Paul's refusal to self-quarantine after being tested sparked bipartisan outrage, including from some of his colleagues. Senator Kyrsten Sinema, a Democrat from Arizona, chastised Paul on Twitter, saying his decision to return to the Capitol before he learned the test results was "absolutely irresponsible."