Union Minister Nitin Gadkari tests positive for COVID-19

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has tested positive for Covid-19 and put himself under isolation.

Sharing his health update on Twitter on Tuesday, Gadkari requested those who had come in his contact to isolate themselves and get tested.

“I have tested positive for Covid 19 today with mild symptoms. Following all the necessary protocols, I have isolated myself and I am under home quarantine. I request all those who have come in contact with me to isolate themselves and get tested,” he wrote.

Gadkari’s test result comes a day after defense minister Rajnath Singh, BJP national president JP Nadda, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai tested positive for the deadly virus on Monday.

However, Gadkari had tested positive for Covid-19 even in September 2020 during the course of his medical check-up and had isolated himself.

Meanwhile, India registered 1,68,063 new cases in the last 24 hours, 6.5 per cent lower than Monday, Union health ministry data showed on Tuesday. This pushed the total caseload to 3,58,75,790.

As many as 277 deaths were reported in the country in the last 24 hours, increasing the total reported death count to 4,84,213.

By line : Divya Thearia