Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani tests COVID-19 positive, condition stable
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has tested coronavirus positive and his condition is stable, a hospital in Ahemdabad where Rupani is admitted after he fainted in a rally said. On Sunday, Rupani, 64, fainted on stage while addressing a rally in Vadodara for the upcoming civic polls in Gujarat, following which he was flown to Ahmedabad and admitted to the UN Mehta Heart Hospital.
Rupani has mild COVID-19 symptoms; ECG, blood test normal
The hospital said that the Chief Minister has mild COVID-19 symptoms and his ECG, blood test, and other examinations are normal. According to a health bulletin issued by the hospital on Monday, Rupani's sample was collected on Sunday night and sent for RT-PCR test which came positive for coronavirus. The hospital also said that Rupani fainted on Sunday due to tiredness and physical weakness.
Chief Minister being treated as per protocol: Deputy CM
Gujarat's Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, who also holds charge of the state's Health Department, said that on Sunday night it was decided to keep Rupani under observation for 24 hours. "After his test report came out positive for coronavirus, he is being treated for the infection as per the course and protocol," added Patel.
Rupani had been taking medicines for fever
"Rupani had a mild fever since the last couple of days and was taking medicine for the same," Patel said, adding that the Chief Minister does not have any co-morbid condition like diabetes or blood pressure. "The CM will undergo a regular medical checkup and will be given treatment as per the requirement. He will be discharged as per the decision of doctors," Patel said.
Rupani had been super busy because of rallies and meetings
Patel said that Rupani fainted due to exhaustion and sleeplessness caused due to his very busy schedule for the last week. Rupani addressed rallies in Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, and Vadodara in the last two days. "He was regularly attending meetings of the BJP's state parliamentary board and also giving interviews to TV channels in the wake of the upcoming local body polls," Patel added.
Six municipal corporations to undergo elections on February 21
In Gujarat, elections to six municipal corporations, including Vadodara, will be held on February 21, while those for various other municipalities, districts, and Taluka panchayats will be held on February 28.
Earlier, BJP MP from Kutch had also tested positive
Patel said, "It has been decided not to allow any visitors to meet the Chief Minister." Patel also informed that BJP's MP from Kutch, Vinod Chavda, and state party General Secretary Bhikhu Dalsania had also tested positive for coronavirus a few days back. "Both of them are undergoing treatment at the UN Mehta Heart Hospital," he added.
