Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tests positive for COVID-19
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19. Gandhi advised those who had come in contact with him to follow safety protocols. The 50-year-old politician has strongly criticized the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic on several occasions. Earlier in the day, he had called the government's new vaccination policy "discriminatory." Here are more details.
'Tested positive after experiencing mild symptoms'
Taking to Twitter, Gandhi said on Tuesday, "After experiencing mild symptoms, I've just tested positive for COVID." "All those who've been in contact with me recently, please follow all safety protocols and stay safe," the tweet added. Notably, Gandhi had recently addressed election rallies in West Bengal. However, he suspended his campaigns as COVID-19 cases rose in the state and across the country.
Not vaccine distribution, but vaccine discrimination strategy: Gandhi
India on Monday announced that, starting May 1, all people aged over 18 can get vaccinated. Vaccines will be available directly to states and the open market for purchase. Criticizing the new policy, Gandhi tweeted Tuesday, "No free vaccines for 18-45 yr olds. Middlemen brought in without price controls. No vaccine guarantee for weaker sections. GOI's (government of India) Vaccine Discrimination- Not Distribution- Strategy!"
Yesterday, Manmohan Singh tested positive for COVID-19
On Monday, Congress veteran and former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (88) tested positive for COVID-19. He was admitted to the AIIMS Trauma Center in Delhi as a "precaution" given his age and co-morbidities. He had reportedly received both doses of the indigenous COVID-19 vaccine COVAXIN. Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan said Tuesday morning that Singh was in a "stable" condition.
India reports 1,53,21,089 cases, 1,80,530 deaths
According to the Union Health Ministry, till Tuesday morning, India reported a total of 1,53,21,089 COVID-19 cases. The death toll has reached 1,80,530. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 1,31,08,582 patients have recovered, while 20,31,977 cases involve active infections. In the past 24 hours alone, India recorded 2,59,170 new infections and 1,761 fresh fatalities. 12,71,29,113 vaccine doses have been administered so far.
