COVID-19 Outbreak: Union Ministers, Chief Ministers And Other Leaders Who Have Tested Positive For Novel Coronavirus

New Delhi: With more than 57 Lakh cases of COVID-19, India remains as the second worst-hit nation with the novel coronavirus. However, the country has seen a constantly improving recovery rate (80 per cent) and the under 2 per cent fatality rate (1.84 per cent) compared to the US (7.8 per cent). In the last nine months of the pandemic, many significant public figures across the world have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

In India too, several political figures have contracted the highly contagious

virus. Here are some of the prominent leaders who have tested positive for COVID-19.

Union Minister Niti Gadkari

Union minister Nitin Gadkari tweeted on September 16, that he has tested positive for coronavirus. In the mandatory COVID tests for parliamentarians conducted before the monsoon session started on Monday, 17 members of the Lok Sabha and eight from the Rajya Sabha had tested positive. Mr Gadkari had tested negative at the time. His positive result came from a test conducted in Nagpur, sources said. Mr Gadkari had attended Parliament on Monday (September 14).

Yesterday, I was feeling weak and consulted my Doctor. During the course of my check up, I have been tested COVID 19 positive. I am at present doing well with the blessings and good wishes of all. I have isolated myself, read the tweet of Mr Gadkari.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted on August 2 that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and requested all those who had come in contact with him in the past few days to isolate themselves and get tested. He tweeted,

On getting the initial symptoms of corona, I got the test done and the report came back positive. My health is fine, but I am being admitted to the hospital on the advice of doctors. I request that all of you who have come in contact with me in the last few days, please isolate yourself and get your inquiry done.

Mr Shah on August 14 confirmed that he has recovered from the virus in less than two weeks after testing negative. He tweeted,

Today my corona test report has come negative. I thank God and at the moment I express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have blessed me and my family by wishing me well. Will stay in home isolation for a few more days on the advice of doctors.

Ahead of the Parliament monsoon session, Mr Shah on September 13, was again admitted to AIIMS for two days for a complete medical check-up.

Three days after he was discharged, on 17 August, Mr Shah complained of “uneasiness” and “breathing difficulties”, following which he was readmitted in AIIMS.

While AIIMS in a statement on 18 August said that Mr Shah, who complained of fatigue and body ache, was admitted for post-COVID care, and was discharged on August 31.

Also Read: Coronavirus Outbreak Explained: Here’s India’s Current COVID-19 Status, Using The ‘R’ Rate Method

Union Minister Smriti Irani

Union Minister Smriti Irani on October 28 said that she has tested positive for the coronavirus.

It is rare for me to search for words while making an announcement; hence here’s me keeping it simple – I’ve tested positive for #COVID and would request those who came in contact with me to get themselves tested at the earliest, she wrote.

Former President Pranab Mukherjee

Former President Pranab Mukherjee, who underwent surgery to remove a clot in his brain over two weeks ago, is being treated for a lung infection at the Army’s Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi. Former President has also tested positive for coronavirus and is in deep coma and on ventilator support.

He had tweeted before his surgery on August 10, that he had tested positive for COVID-19. He said,

On a visit to the hospital for a separate procedure, I have tested positive for COVID19 today. I request the people who came in contact with me in the last week, to please self isolate and get tested for COVID-19.

Mr Mukherjee passed away on August 31.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar

Haryana Chief Minister has tested positive for COVID-19 as well, as he took to Twitter o August 24, to urge all his colleagues and associates, who came in his contact over the last week, to get themselves tested. He said,

I was tested for Novel Corona Virus today. My test report has returned positive. I appeal to all colleagues and associates who came in my contact over the last week to get themselves tested. I request my close contacts to move into strict quarantine immediately.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan

On July 25, MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan had confirmed that he had tested positive for COVID-19, and is seeking treatment in Bhopal. CM Chouhan shared a video on twitter where he urged everyone to get tested if they experience any COVID-19 symptoms.

About two weeks later, CM Chouhan confirmed that he has recovered and tested negative after seeking treatment in Bhopal’s Chirayu Hospital.

Also Read: 6 Months On, A Recap Of How The Coronavirus Pandemic Unfolded

Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on August 20 said he has tested positive for coronavirus. In a tweet, the minister said he underwent a coronavirus test after developing symptoms of the infection. The minister said he is getting admitted to a hospital on the advice of doctors.

I underwent a coronavirus test after developing symptoms and the report has come positive. I am getting hospitalised on the advice of doctors. I request all who have come in my contact in the past days to isolate themselves and get tested, Mr. Shekhawat tweeted in Hindi.

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa also announced on Twitter that he had tested positive for the coronavirus. He has been admitted to Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru, where doctors at the private facility told ANI that his condition is clinically stable and that he will be monitored closely. He tweeted,

I have tested positive for coronavirus. Whilst I am fine, I am being hospitalised as a precaution on the recommendation of doctors. I request those who have come in contact with me recently to be observant and exercise self-quarantine.

Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand Shibu Soren

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Twitter said that his father, former Jharkhand CM, Shibu Soren and mother have tested positive for coronavirus.

Former chief minister’s condition is stable after he underwent plasma therapy at Medanta Hospital Ranchi, ANI reported. Speaking to ANI Naushad Alam, Rural Superintendent of Police (SP), Ranchi said,

He is better than before, and he underwent the plasma therapy as well. After undergoing the treatment, his health condition is better than before.

Also Read: COVID-19 And Pregnancy: What Are The Risks? Doctors Explain

Union Minister Suresh Angadi 

Junior Railways Minister Suresh Angadi passed away on September 23, nearly two weeks after he tested positive for coronavirus infection. He was admitted to AIIMS in Delhi after his condition worsened. He was the first Union Minister and the fourth MP to die due to COVID-19 infection.

Born in 1955, the BJP leader from Belgaum district in Karnataka has held several positions in the party in his long political career. He started as BJP vice president in Belgaum in 1996 and worked his way up. He was elected MP in the Lok Sabha election in 2004, and again in 2009. He was elected for a third term in 2014 when the BJP came to power in the centre and for a fourth term in the general election last year, after which he was made Union Minister of State for Railways.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia

Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia tested positive for coronavirus on September 14. He had been under self-isolation at his official residence since testing positive for the highly contagious disease. On September 23, Mr Sisodia was admitted to the city’s Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Hospital after complaints of fever and breathing difficulties.

Patients who do not have co-morbidities or complications and do not belong to the vulnerable age group, are advised home quarantine. On September 14, Mr Sisodia had tweeted to announce his positive status and warn those who came in contact with him.

After suffering from mild fever, I took a coronavirus test and turned out to be positive. I have isolated myself. I don’t have a fever or any other problem as of now, I am absolutely fine. With your prayers, I am sure I will return to work after regaining my health, he tweeted in Hindi.

Uttar Pradesh Minister Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary

Minister in Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary on August 26 informed that he has tested positive for coronavirus.

After getting the initial symptoms of corona, I was tested for COVID-19 and my report came positive. I am being admitted to a hospital on the advice of doctors. I request that all those who came in contact with me in the last few days, please isolate yourself and get tested, Mr Chaudhary tweeted.

Former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi

Former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has also tested positive for coronavirus.  Mr Gogoi tweeted On August 26.

I have been tested Covid 19 positive yesterday. People who came in contact with me during Last few days they should go for Covid test immediately, Mr Gogoi tweeted.

Delhi Health Minister Satyender Jain

Delhi Health Minister Satyender Jain tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted at the state-run Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital on 15 June. He underwent plasma therapy in Delhi’s Max Hospital, Saket.

After his recovery, Mr Jain said that plasma therapy has saved his life and pledged to donate his plasma as soon as medical protocols allow.

Member of Delhi Legislative Assembly Atishi Marlena

AAP MLA and national spokesperson Atishi Marlena tested positive for COVID-19 on June 17. Ms Marlena recovered after isolating at home for two weeks and later donated her plasma as she urged others to do the same and save lives.

Also Read: India Crosses 3 Million COVID-19 Cases, Top Doctors Explain The Spike In Numbers

Madhya Pradesh Health Minister Prabhuram Choudhary

Madhya Pradesh Health Minister Prabhuram Choudhary also revealed that he has tested coronavirus positive on August 23. He tweeted in Hindi,

My COVID report came back positive after the test. I request everyone who has come in contact with me to get the corona test done. People of my close contacts should go to Quarantine. With the prayers and blessings of all of you, you will soon be present among all of you and then will be engaged in public service.

Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan

Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan tweeted on August 4 that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been admitted to hospital.

In a tweet he said he underwent a test when he noticed symptoms of COVID-19 and the report came positive following which he has been hospitalised. He tweeted in Hindi,

#COVID19 I got the test done in my symptoms, in which my report is positive. I am hospitalised and healthy on the advice of doctors.

The minister has not updated on his health since the announcement.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah

A day after Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa contracted COVID-19 (August 3), Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also announced that he has tested positive for the infection. He was admitted to Bengaluru’s Manipal Hospital, where Mr. Yediyurappa too is undergoing treatment, late on Monday with symptoms.

Mr Siddaramaiah was discharged on August 13 after testing negative twice.

Tamil Nadu MP H Vasanthakumar

Congress MP from Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari, H Vasanthakumar, who had tested positive for the coronavirus in August 10 and was seeking treatment in Chennai’s Apollo Hospital, died on August 28.

He was in critical condition after contracting severe pneumonia and had been placed on ventilator support, doctors from the hospital said.

Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala

Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala tested positive for the COVID-19 virus on October 6. The JJP (Jannayak Janata Party) chief, whose party rules the state in alliance with the BJP, urged all those who had come in contact with him over the past week to also get themselves tested.

My COVID-19 report came out positive. I have no Covid-related symptoms, such as fever or breathing difficulties but, because my report is positive, I am self-isolating. I also appeal to all my friends who have met me in the past week to also get tested, Mr Chautala said in his video.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur

Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on October 12 tested positive for COVID-19. He had been in quarantine for the past one week, and the report was confirmed by the Chief Minister himself on his Twitter account.

A few days ago, due to contact with a corona positive person, I was quarantined at my residence for the past one week, due to some symptoms of corona from last two days, I got a corona test done today, which has been reported positive. I am isolated in my official residence on the advice of doctors, he wrote on Twitter.

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale

Union minister Ramdas Athawale, whose “go corona, corona go” chant became a national sensation, tested coronavirus positive on October 27, an official said. Mr Athawale, 60, is a member of the Rajya Sabha and Minister of State for Social Justice. The Republican Party of India (A) leader has been admitted to a private hospital in south Mumbai, he said. In February, a video of Mr Athawale, seen with a diplomat and some monks chanting “Go corona, corona go” at a prayer meeting went viral on social media. The minister is also a diabetic, an aide said.

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.