Karnataka Congress Leader Siddaramaiah Tests Positive For Coronavirus

Mr Siddaramaiah is the second prominent leader after Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa to have contracted the virus.

New Delhi: 

Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today tweeted to say that he has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. In a brief post on Twitter, Mr Siddaramaiah said that he has been admitted to the hospital on the advice of doctors.

The Congress leader asked all those who came in contact with him to check out for symptoms and to quarantine themselves.

“I have been tested positive for COVID-19 and also been admitted to the hospital on the advice of doctors as a precaution. I request all those who had come in contact with me to check out for symptoms & to quarantine themselves,” he tweeted this morning.

Mr Siddaramaiah’s son said that his father underwent Corona antigen test after he developed fever yesterday. Mr Siddaramaiah is the second prominent leader after Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa to have contracted the virus.

Mr Yediyurappa, who tested positive on Sunday, replied to Mr Siddaramaiah tweet wishing him speedy recovery from the coronavirus infection. Mr Yediyurappa’s daughter Padmavathi has also tested positive, while his son, Vijayendra, has tested negative.

Six staff members working in Mr Yediyurappa’s office tested positive for the disease on Monday.

Mr Yediyurappa’s test results came in hours after Union Home Minister Amit Shah tested positive for the disease. The Manipal Hospital where the 77-year-old Karnataka leader is admitted said he was “doing well” and “clinically stable.”

Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) President, HD Deve Gowda, also wished Mr Siddaramaiah a speedy recovery.

“Former chief minister and opposition leader Siddaramaiah was shocked to learn of coronary infection. I wish they would heal quickly and engage in the service of the people. I wish Siddaramaiah a speedy recovery from COVID-19,” he tweeted in Kannada, tagging Mr Siddaramaiah.

Karnataka’s COVID-19 daily count dropped below the 5,000 mark for the first time in 10 days on Monday, as it recorded 4,752 cases taking the total number of infections to 1,39,571. The total number of deaths in the southern state stands at 2,594.

The countrywide numbers of COVID-19 crossed the 18-lakh mark on Monday, just a day after it went past 17 lakh mark, with 52,972 cases being reported within 24 hours.