Jharkhand's Health Minister Banna Gupta has been tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday evening. The minister said that he got tested for the disease on the day and the report came positive in the evening.
"In the last few days, all those who have come in contact with me are requested to get your COVID-19 test done," he said in a tweet.
Gupta was present in the state cabinet meeting held earlier on Tuesday and was seated along with Agriculture Minister Badal Patralekh, sources said.
Gupta had some symptoms of COVID-19 but still he attended the meeting and this is likely to force the entire cabinet, including Chief Minister Hemant Soren, to go on quarantine, they said.
Meanwhile, AJSU Party president Sudesh Mahto also said that he has tested positive for COVID-19.
Mahto, who got tested after noticing certain symptoms, is currently in home quarantine.
"I urge the people of Jharkhand to strictly follow social distancing norms, and take care of yourself and your loved ones," he said in a tweet.
Mahto"s party was a part of the previous Raghubar Das-led government. However, it severed ties ahead of the last year"s state polls and fought alone, winning only two seats.
Mahto won the election from the Silli seat.