Union Minister Nitin Gadkari tests coronavirus positive

New Delhi : Union minister Nitin Gadkari took to his social media handle to inform that he has tested positive for coronavirus. Before him, at least seven union ministers, including Union home minister Amit Shah, and two dozen lawmakers have contracted the disease.

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.

"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," Mr Gadkari's tweeted.

"I request everyone who has come in my contact to be careful and follow the protocol. Stay safe," read the other tweet of the minister.

Besides Amit Shah, the Union ministers who have contracted the virus earlier include Jal Shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Ayush Minister Shirpad Naik, junior agriculture minister Kailash Choudhary, junior minister for heavy industries and parliamentary affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal and petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Lav Agarwal, who was leading the central government's news conferences on COVID-19, had also tested positive.