UP's Ayush minister Dharam Singh Saini tests Covid-19 positive

LUCKNOW: Several VIPs were gripped by coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh in the past 24 hours. The list included state Ayush minister and senior politician Dharam Singh Saini.
He is the second UP minister to have contracted the infection. Earlier, minister for rural development Moti Singh and his wife tested positive to coronavirus and are undergoing treatment at Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences.
In another development, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Gautam Budh Nagar, Deepak Ohri was quarantined after he showed influenza-like illness. Sub divisional magistrate in Sadar Tehsil of GB Nagar also quarantined.
Sharing details on Saini, CMO Saharanpur Dr BS Sodhi, “Minister Dharm Singh Saini complained of cough and was tested for Covid-19. He has been admitted to Pilakhni Medical College after confirmation of the infection. Samples of 27 persons who came in contact with him have been sent for testing.”
In Lucknow, five close family members of minister Moti Singh also tested positive to the pandemic infection. "Among various contacts of the minister, five close family members tested positive. All necessary protocols are being followed,” said Dr Narendra Agarwal, CMO Lucknow.
Sources said that Moti Singh’s son, daughter in law, two grand-children and a close aide had tested positive. The CMO office had also turned their Gautam Palli based residence into a containment zone.
Covid-19 inflicted leader of opposition and Samajwadi Party veteran Ram Govind Chaudhary, who is undergoing treatment at Sanjay Gandhi PostGraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, was taken on oxygen support on Saturday.
Doctors attending him stated that the move was taken as a precautionary measure to limit chance of complications. Admitted on June 23 Govind was reported to be stable list reports last came in. However, there were rumors that his condition had deteriorated.
When asked to comment, medical superintendent, SGPGI Dr RK Singh said: “The patient is on oxygen support in the intensive care unit but he is stable and all his co-morbidities are under control as of now.” Sources said that the 67 year old politician had complained of breathing difficulty after which he was shifted to the ICU.
By now, at least six politicians in the state and their 12 contacts have been affected by the pandemic virus.