Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has tested negative for coronavirus after he gave his sample for testing due to getting in close contact with a BJP leader, who later turned out to be infected with COVID-19. “The CM’s swab sample has been taken today for Covid-19 test,” said chief minister’s public relations officer BK Shukla.
The chief minister had met the senior BJP functionary at least twice during the last 10 days, the last being on July 2 during the swearing-in ceremony of nine MLCs. Mr Kumar’s secretaries had also given their swab samples for COVID-19 testing after they attended an event where the BJP leader, who was found infected with the highly contagious coronavirus, was also present sitting next to the Chief Minister.
Out of 15 people in the Chief Minister’s house who were tested, only a security officer was found positive.
In visuals of the event, Nitish Kumar is seen taking a seat on a podium along with three other leaders including Awadhesh Narayan Singh flanking him. All of them are in white scarves covering much of their faces, following safety guidelines that recommend wearing masks since the coronavirus is known to spread from person to person via respiratory droplets.
Sample of deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi was also taken for Covid test. At least 50 top political leaders had been identified during the contact tracing of the BJP functionary who had tested positive, said sources.
The BJP leader, his wife and son, all of whom had tested positive, were admitted to the AIIMS-Patna Saturday evening, said hospital sources.
“The senior BJP functionary and his wife have been admitted at our hospital and taken to the Covid isolation ward,” said AIIMS superintendent Dr CM Singh.
