Shah (55) took to social media today to report his infection. "I have tested positive but my health is fine," he said, adding that he has been hospitalised on the advice of doctors. The Union Home Minister also appealed to those who came into close contact with him in the last few days to get themselves tested for COVID-19.
"I request those who came in contact with me in last few days to get tested for coronavirus and isolate themselves," he wrote in a message on Twitter.
कोरोना के शुरूआती लक्षण दिखने पर मैंने टेस्ट करवाया और रिपोर्ट पॉजिटिव आई है। मेरी तबीयत ठीक है परन्तु डॉक्टर्स की सलाह पर अस्पताल में भर्ती हो रहा हूँ। मेरा अनुरोध है कि आप में से जो भी लोग गत कुछ दिनों में मेरे संपर्क में आयें हैं, कृपया स्वयं को आइसोलेट कर अपनी जाँच करवाएं।
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 2, 2020
BJP President JP Nadda wrote, "Received news of Union Home Minister Amit Shah testing COVID-19 positive. I pray to God for his speedy recovery."
Madhya Pradesh CM, who had too tested positive for COVID-19 infection last week, wrote, "May God heal you completely soon and you join the service with full energy. We wish you all the best!"
Senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy wished recovery to Shah on Twitter and wrote, "I am sorry to hear from news media that Amit Shah has to be admitted to hospital because he has tested positive for Coronavirus. I wish him speedy recovery and pray for his early discharge."
Arunachal Pradesh CM wrote, "Our Prayers for speedy recovery, get well soon @AmitShah ji."
Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma wrote, "My good wishes for your speedy recovery Adarniya @AmitShah ji. With your resolute determination and strong will power you will soon come out of this."
Wishing early recovery to the Home Minster, Bollywood actor Paresh Rawal tweeted, "@AmitShah plz get well soon and a prayer to god for your speedy recovery."
TMC supremo and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee wished for the former BJP President's speedy recovery. Taking to Twitter, Banerjee wished well for him and stated that her prayers are with Shah and his family.
Tamil Nadu's Governor Banwarilal Purohit has also tested positive for coronavirus, said Chennai's Kauvery Hospital, where he has been admitted. He is asymptomatic and clinically stable, the hospital said.
Over the last 24 hours, 54,735 cases of the disease were reported, taking the total number of cases to 17,50,723, data from the Union health ministry showed.
The spike came as the country rolled Unlock 3 -- the third phase of lifting of restrictions -- was rolled out last week. The government, however, is yet to open places which see a large gathering of people, including schools and colleges, cinema halls, swimming pools, bars and assembly halls. Many states announced lockdown in different degrees last month as numbers spiked.
It took just 185 days for India to cross the 17-lakh mark after the first case was reported in Kerala in January this year. The country had crossed the one lakh-mark in 110 days. More than 60 per cent of total cases in the country and over 50 per cent of total deaths have been recorded in July.
