Amid spike in COVID-19 cases, several Maharashtra ministers & leaders tests positive for virus

Amid rise in Covid-19 infections in Maharashtra over the past few weeks, a number of the state's political leaders and ministers, including the health minister Rajesh Tope, tested positive for the disease. Others include Jayant Patil, Raksha Khadse, Eknath Khadse, Bacchu Kadu, and Rajendra Shingne.

On Thursday, the state reported 5,427 new cases - the highest one-day count in over 75 days. 

Minister of state Omprakash Babarao Kadu, or Bacchu Kadu, tweeted today that he had tested positive for Covid-19 a second time. 

While Tope tweeted last night,"I have tested positive for Covid-19. My health condition is fine. I appeal to those who have come into contact with me recently to get tested at the earliest." 

Similarly, NCP leader Jayant R Patil, posted a message yesterday declaring his Covid-19-positive status. The 59-year-old is the Water Resources Minister of the state and a seven-term MLA from Islampur.   

Another senior NCP leader, Eknath Khadse, tweeted in Marathi yesterday saying, "I have tested positive for corona. My health is fine...I request those who have come in contact with me to test themselves." 

On Wednesday, state Food and Drug Administration Minister Rajendra Shingne, 60, had tweeted declaring his Covid-19 positive status.

माझी कोरोना चाचणी दुसर्‍यांदा पॉजिटीव्ह आली असून, सध्या मी आयसोलेशनमध्ये आहे. मागील काही दिवसांत माझ्या संपर्कात आलेल्या सर्वांनी स्वत:ची काळजी घ्यावी, आवश्यक वाटत असेल, तर स्वतःची चाचणी करून घ्यावी.

— BACCHU KADU (@RealBacchuKadu) February 19, 2021

माझी कोरोना चाचणी पॉझिटिव्ह आली आहे. माझी प्रकृती चांगली असून मी डॉक्टरांचा सल्ला घेत आहे. आपल्या सर्वांच्या आशीर्वादाने कोरोनाला हरवून लवकरच मी आपल्या सेवेत रुजू होईल. माझ्या संपर्कात आलेल्यांनी काळजी घ्यावी आणि लक्षणे दिसल्यास तत्काळ आपली कोरोना चाचणी करून घ्यावी.

— Rajesh Tope (@rajeshtope11) February 18, 2021

माझी कोरोना चाचणी केली असता ती पॉझिटिव्ह आली असून माझी तब्येत चांगली आहे, काळजीचे कारण नाही. गेल्या काही दिवसात माझ्या संपर्कात आलेल्यांनी आपली कोरोना चाचणी करून घ्यावी अशी मी विनंती करतो.

— Eknath Khadse (@EknathGKhadse) February 18, 2021

I have tested COVID positive.

Whilst I am doing fine, I am taking appropriate medical advice and hope to recover soon. I shall be undertaking my duties via video-conference.

I request those who have come in contact with me recently to be observant and self-isolate.🙏

— Jayant Patil (@Jayant_R_Patil) February 18, 2021

Please note that it would not be possible for me to be present at NCP Office, Mumbai tomorrow for the 'Janata Darbar' which is scheduled for every Thursday as I have tested positive for #COVID19. Citizens kindly take a note of the same.

— Dr.Rajendra Shingne (@DrShingnespeaks) February 17, 2021