Karnataka Deputy CM Tests COVID-19 Positive

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister C.N. Ashwath Narayan on Saturday said that he has tested positive for COVID-19.

The minister in a tweet said, "In anticipation of the upcoming Assembly sessions, I underwent a #COVID19 test on Saturday and my results have returned positive. I am asymptomatic and will be under home isolation."

In anticipation of the upcoming Assembly sessions, I underwent a #COVID19 test on Saturday and my results have returned positive. I am asymptomatic and will be under home isolation.

I request those who have come in contact with me to take the necessary precautions.

— Dr. Ashwathnarayan C. N. (@drashwathcn) September 19, 2020

He has requested all those who have come in contact with him to take the necessary precautions.

Given the pandemic, Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri has made it mandatory for all those attending it – legislators, officials, journalists, and other attendees – to undergo RT-PCR test for COVID-19 infection, 72 hours prior to the start of the 10-day monsoon session from September 21.

Further, the minister, who is also in charge of Higher Education, IT & BT, Science & Technology, Skill Development, and Entrepreneurship & Livelihood portfolios, requested all those who came in contact with him to take necessary precautions.

Other top politicians in the state who had contracted the infection so far include Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, Tourism Minister C T Ravi, Health Minister B Sriramulu, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Women and Child Development Minister Shashikala Annasaheb Jolle, Mandya MP Sumalatha, Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah, and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Pradesh Committee D K Shivakumar, among others.