Kejriwal in self-quarantine, to be tested for COVID-19

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has gone into self-quarantine after developing sore throat and fever, and will get himself tested for COVID-19 on Tuesday, officials said on Monday.

The 51-year-old chief minister, who is also a diabetic, was feeling unwell since Sunday afternoon.

"As the chief minister is unwell, he has gone into self-isolation. He has sore throat and cough. He will get himself tested for COVID-19 tomorrow," deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said during an online media briefing.

Earlier officials said Kejriwal has also developed mild fever.

On Sunday morning, the CM held a cabinet meeting at his official residence which was attended by many ministers, including Sisodia, environment minister Gopal Rai, health minister Satyendar Jain, officials said.

Chief Secretary Vijay Dev was also present during the meeting.

After the cabinet meeting, Kejriwal cancelled all his official engagements, they said.

The chief minister has been holding most of his meetings via video conferencing from his official residence for past two months, but has been going to the Delhi LG's office for some important meetings.

On June 2, Kejriwal and Sisodia had attended a meeting at the LG office, which has so far reported 13 COVID-19 cases.

The national capital has nearly 29,000 coronavirus cases, country's third highest after Maharashtra (85,975) and Tamil Nadu (30,152).

There are 17,125 active cases of COVID-19 in the national capital while 10,999 people have recovered so far.

Cutting across party lines, politicians wished a speedy recovery to Kejriwal.

Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh wished him a speedy recovery and said Kejriwal will undergo the COVID-19 test on Tuesday.

"Chief Minister of Delhi @ArvindKejriwal complained of fever and throat pain yesterday on June 7 afternoon. He has gone into self-quarantine at home on the advice of doctors. Tomorrow, on June 9, he will get himself tested for COVID-19. I pray for his speedy recovery," Singh said in a tweet.

Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party president Adesh Kumar Gupta said on hearing the news, he called Kejriwal to enquire about his well-being.

"On hearing about Arvind Kejriwal feeling unwell, I spoke to him and asked about his well being. I pray to god for his speedy recovery," he said in a tweet.

Taking a dig at Kejriwal, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said as a resident of Ghaziabad, he can get treatment in Kaushambi.

"I pray that you test negative. But just in case you need treatment, I hope #Kaushambi has good hospitals. Get well soon, @ArvindKejriwal," he tweeted.

Kejriwal on Sunday announced that the hospitals run by the Delhi government and private entities will only treat Delhiites during the coronavirus crisis.

BJP member and former AAP MLA Kapil Mishra also wished him a speedy recovery.

"Wish you a speedy recovery. I hope the COVID-19 test results come out negative," Mishra tweeted.

Kumar Vishwas, who was closely associated with the Kejriwal-led AAP, also took to Twitter to wish the chief minister a speedy recovery.

"Get well soon Arvind Kejriwal," he wrote.

Rajya Sabha MP and Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also posted a message on Twitter for the Delhi chief minister.

"Wishing Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal ji a speedy recovery," she said in a tweet.

AAP members prayed for the well-being of the party leader.

AAP spokesperson and MLA from Rajinder Nagar Raghav Chadha said his thoughts, wishes and prayers were with the chief minister.

"Dear @ArvindKejriwal - you are our inspiration and hero - a frontline warrior against coronavirus. You put yourself at risk for the well-being of people of Delhi. As you face a health challenge, our thoughts, wishes and prayers are with you. #TakeCareAK," he said in a tweet.

AAP MLA from Kalkaji Atishi also wished the chief minister a speedy recovery.

"With the power of a million wishes, our CM will definitely feel better soon. #TakeCareAK," she said in a tweet.