A day after Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa contracted COVID-19, Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, 73, also tested positive for the infection. He was admitted to Manipal Hospital, where Mr. Yediyurappa too is undergoing treatment, late on Monday with symptoms.
Mr. Siddaramaiah’s 57-year-old wife, Parvathi Siddaramaiah, and son, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, who is also Varuna MLA, have tested negative.
Five other persons who work in his house also tested negative. His house has been sanitised and a ‘home quarantine’ notice has been put up on the gate.
Stating that his 73-year-old father could have contracted the infection possibly during his press conferences in Mandya and Mysuru in the last few days, Dr. Yathindra appealed to all those who have come in contact recently to isolate themselves and get tested.
“I am staying in the hospital to be along with my father. Although I am in a different room, I am checking on him occasionally with a PPE,” said Dr. Yathindra, a doctor himself.
Hospital chairman Sudarshan Ballal said Mr. Siddaramaiah, who has a history of diabetes, is doing well and is stable. “He is undergoing appropriate evaluation and management by a multidisciplinary team of doctors,” Dr. Ballal said.
Mr. Yediyurappa, who was admitted to the hospital on Sunday night, continued to remain stable. Dr. Ballal said the Chief Minister was responding to treatment. “He is cheerful and attending to his activities,” the doctor said.
After learning that Mr. Siddaramaiah has also been admitted for COVID-19, the Chief Minister wished him a speedy recovery. In a tweet, Mr. Yediyurappa said, “I wish that he gets back to his routine activities soon, with good health.”
