COVID-19: Amitabh Bachchan tests negative, discharged from hospital
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has tested negative for the novel coronavirus and has been discharged from the hospital. The 77-year-old screen icon had been admitted to the isolation ward of Mumbai's Nanavati Hospital since testing positive for the deadly virus last month. However, Amitabh's son, actor Abhishek Bachchan (44), is still COVID-19 positive and continues to remain in the hospital. Here are more details.
The news was announced by Abhishek on Twitter
Abhishek shared the news on Twitter. He wrote, "My father, thankfully, has tested negative on his latest COVID-19 test and has been discharged from the hospital. He will now be at home and rest." He also expressed gratitude to fans for their prayers and wishes. "I, unfortunately, due to some comorbidities remain COVID-19 positive and remain in hospital (sic)," he said in another tweet.
You can view Abhishek's tweet here
Bachchan family contracted COVID-19 in July
On July 11, Abhishek and Amitabh opened up about their coronavirus diagnosis on social media. At that time, it was reported the two were stable and responding well to the treatment. On July 12, Abhishek's wife Aishwarya and daughter Aaradhya tested positive. They were admitted to the hospital on July 17. Ten days later, they both tested negative and were discharged from the hospital.
Jaya Bachchan and other family members had tested negative
Meanwhile, Amitabh's wife, actor-politician Jaya Bachchan, and other members of the family, including their daughter Shweta Nanda, had tested negative for the virus. After the Bachchan family contracted the disease, four of their properties in Mumbai, viz. Pratiksha, Janak, Vatsa, and Jalsa, were sealed by BMC and declared containment zones. The buildings were also duly sanitized by authorities. Jalsa was reportedly unsealed last week.
COVID-19 has infected over 17 lakh across India
Other Bollywood celebrities who were diagnosed with coronavirus include veteran actor Kiran Kumar, singer Kanika Kapoor, and producer Karim Morani. They have all since recovered. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc around the world. Across India, it has infected over 17.5 lakh people and claimed the lives of 37,452. Globally, it has sickened more than 1.8 crore and killed 6,89,497.