Chuck Grassley: Oldest Republican senator, 87, tests positive for Covid

‘I’m feeling good + will keep up on my work for the ppl of Iowa from home’

Mr Grassley's departure leaves the path open for Mr Graham to take over his seat (Getty Images)

Senator Chuck Grassley, the oldest Republican in the chamber, has tested positive for Covid-19, he tweeted on Tuesday.

“I've tested positive for coronavirus,” the Iowa Republican wrote. “I’ll [be] following my doctors’ orders/CDC guidelines & continue to quarantine. I’m feeling good + will keep up on my work for the ppl of Iowa from home. I appreciate everyone’s well wishes + prayers &look fwd to resuming my normal schedule soon.”

Mr Grassley announced earlier on Tuesday he would quarantine after being exposed to someone who tested positive for the virus.

That decision caused him to miss Senate votes for the first time in 27 years, when he was unable to attend several vote series due to flooding in his home state.

His positive test results makes him one of millions of Americans who have contracted the coronavirus in recent weeks as the US experiences a surge in cases.

The Iowa Republican, 87, is the second-longest-serving senator behind Vermont Democrat Patrick Leahy, having represented his state since 1981. Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, the oldest senator, is less than three months older than Mr Grassley. Both were born in 1933.

Covid-19 has killed nearly 250,000 Americans since it landed on these shores last winter.

It disproportionately kills older people, medical researchers have found, although therapeutics for people who catch it have greatly improved over time.

Mr Grassley was talking with reporters at the Capitol as recently as Monday evening.

On Tuesday, he became the second Republican senator within the last week to announce he was going into isolation after possible Covid-19 exposure.

Florida Senator Rick Scott is still in isolation, though he has not announced a positive test result.