Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope tests COVID-19 positive as state battles virus surge

On Thursday late evening, February 18, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope took to Twitter and informed that he has tested positive for coronavirus infection.

Tweeting in Marathi, Tope said, "I have tested positive for coronavirus. My health condition is fine and consulting a doctor. With the blessings of all of you, I will soon be in your service after defeating COVID-19."

He also appealed to those who have come into contact with him recently to get themselves tested at the earliest. "Anyone who had come in contact with me should be careful and get tested for coronavirus immediately if symptoms appear," Rajesh Tope said in his tweet.

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

Moreover, earlier in the day, Maharashtra water resources minister and state NCP chief Jayant Patil had said that he had tested positive for coronavirus. Patil was on a statewide tour called ‘NCP Parivar Samwad Yatra’ which began on January 28 in an effort to strengthen the party. Besides, NCP leader Eknath Khadse has also tested positive on the same day.

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

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

Maharashtra has been witnessing a fresh spike rise in COVID-19 cases for the past few days. On Thursday, February the state reported 5,427 new coronavirus cases and 38 deaths due to COVID-19 in 24 hours. The case fatality rate in the state is 2.48 per cent.

Concerned over the increasing number of coronavirus cases, the administration in three districts of Maharashtra — Amravati, Akola and Yavatmal -- announced a 10-day lockdown after a sudden rise in cases were reported there.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) also issued fresh guidelines for Mumbai as the city witnesses a spurt in virus cases.