Thune tests negative for COVID-19

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – Sen. John Thune has tested negative for COVID-19.

The 59-year-old Republican returned to his home state of South Dakota this week after experiencing flu-like symptoms.

His spokesman Ryan Wrasse said Thune’s doctor recommended he be tested for the coronavirus on Friday.

Wrasse said the fact that Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul has COVID-19 factored into the doctor’s decision to request a test for Thune. Paul kept working in the Senate for six days after getting tested, saying he had no symptoms.

South Dakota’s other senator, Republican Mike Rounds, is self-isolating at his family farm following the vote on a $2.2 trillion fiscal package.