Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh tests positive for COVID-19

Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Friday said he has tested coronavirus positive. He shared the information on his Twitter handle. "I tested positive for coronavirus today, but I am in good health. I appeal to those who came in my contact to get themselves tested. I will return in your service soon after defeating coronavirus," Deshmukh said in his tweet.

I have tested +ve for Covid19 today. Though I don't have much symptoms,I still request people who came in contact with me in the last few days to get themselves tested& isolate accordingly. With your prayers& blessings I'm confident I will be back serving people of my state soon.

— ANIL DESHMUKH (@AnilDeshmukhNCP) February 5, 2021

A state health official said Deshmukh was on a tour of east Vidarbha over the last few days and returned to Nagpur on Thursday. "A precautionary test was conducted on him today, which confirmed that he has contracted the infection. Deshmukh is currently at his residence in Nagpur," the official said. It is not yet clear whether he has been advised to remain in home quarantine or get admitted to a hospital, he added.