Former president Pranab Mukherjee yesterday said he had tested positive for the coronavirus and asked his contacts to self-isolate and get tested for the virus.
“On a visit to hospital for a separate procedure, I tested positive for Covid-19 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,” the 84-year-old former president tweeted.
Soon after he shared the news, wishes started pouring in from across the political spectrum for his speedy recovery.
Federal Minister Ram Vilas Paswan tweeted: “I am worried about the news of former president Pranab Mukherjee ji testing positive for Covid-19. I pray to God for your speedy recovery.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said: “Concerned to hear about former president Pranab Mukherjee Da testing positive for Covid-19. My prayers are with him and his family during this time and I wish him a speedy recovery.”
Congress spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted: “Wishing you a speedy recovery sir!.”
The Congress posted on its official Twitter handle: “We wish former president Pranab Mukherjee a speedy recovery from Covid-19.”
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted: “Please take care, sir. We are praying for your speedy recovery and good health.”
Bharatiya Janata Party spokesman Shahnawaz Hussain said: “The nation’s best wishes are with former president, respected Pranab Da. I am sure he will recover soon from Covid-19.”
Former Minister Milind Deora, Delhi Congress chief Chaudhary Anil Kumar and several other leaders also wished Mukherjee speedy recovery.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa left hospital yesterday after being treated for Covid-19, an official said.
“Chief Minister Yediyurappa has been discharged from the Manipal Hospital,” the official said.
Yediyurappa, however, said that he will be under self-quarantine.
He also thanked doctors, nurses and the hospital staff who treated him and expressed gratitude to all citizens who wished him a speedy recovery.
After he got discharged, the chief minister was seen freely walking out of the hospital wearing a white dress.
Following mild Covid symptoms, Yediyurappa was admitted to the hospital at 11pm on August 2.
Despite being in the hospital for more than a week, the chief minister was in regular touch with officials.
He also cleared files and gave necessary instructions about the flood relief work in the state.
Meanwhile, a police officer accused in the custodial death of a father and son in Sathankulam in Tamil Nadu, died due to Covid-19 yesterday, officials said.
Special Sub-Inspector of Police Pauldurai had tested positive for the coronavirus on July 24 while he was lodged at Madurai Central Prision and he was shifted to government hospital the same day.
On Saturday, Pauldurai’s wife urged the Madurai police commissioner to provide special medical attention as his condition was worsening.
Also yesterday, Assam’s Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta tested positive for Covid-19, officials said.
According to a senior Assam police official, health workers have begun tracing people may have come in contact with Mahanta. Despite many attempts, Mahanta himself was not reachable.
“Since March, around 30 people directly and indirectly associated with the Assam Police Headquarters have tested positive. The infected include senior officials like the Inspector General of Police, Law and Order, and the Deputy Inspector General, Administration,” said the official, who did not want to be named.
In Jharkhand at least 2,565 police personnel have tested positive for the virus.
Of them, 887 have recovered and have been discharged, officials said.
In Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, 56 inmates of two prisons have tested positive for coronavirus.
People wait to be tested outside a mobile coronavirus testing facility in New Delhi yesterday.
