Union Minister Pralhad Joshi tests COVID-19 positive, opts for home quarantine

Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday said he has tested positive for COVID-19 and was under home quarantine. Taking to micro-blogging site Twitter, Joshi said that he is asymptomatic and has opted for home quarantine.

"I have tested positive for COVID19. As I am asymptomatic, as per doctor's advice I am in home quarantine," he tweeted.

An MP from Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency, Joshi played a crucial role in the conduct of the recent Parliament session amid the pandemic in his capacity as the Parliamentary Affairs Minister.

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ಕೋವಿಡ್ ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನನಗೆ ಸೋಂಕು ದೃಢಪಟ್ಟಿದೆ. ಯಾವುದೇ ರೋಗ ಲಕ್ಷಣಗಳು ಇರುವದಿಲ್ಲ. ವೈದ್ಯರ ಸಲಹೆಯಂತೆ ಹೋಮ್ ಕ್ವಾರಂಟೈನ್ ಆಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ.

I have tested positive for #COVID19 . As I am asymptomatic, as per doctor's advise I am in home quarantine. — Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) October 7, 2020

Joshi is the latest addition to prominent politicians from the state who have tested positive for COVID-19. Most of them have either recovered or under-recovery. They include Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah, several Ministers in the state cabinet and a number of legislators.

The state has also lost a few public representatives due to coronavirus like Belagavi BJP MP and former Union Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi, BJP Rajya Sabha member Ashok Gasti and Basavakalyan Congress MLA B Narayan Rao.