TN Governor tests COVID-19 positive; advised home isolation

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit has tested positive for COVID-19, but advised home isolation since his infection was mild, a Chennai-based private hospital said on Sunday.

The 80-year old Purohit was on self-isolation since July 29 after three people in the Raj Bhavan tested positive for the coronavirus.

State Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, his deputy O Panneerselvam and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam President M K Stalin among others wished the Governor a speedy recovery.

A bulletin issued by the Kauvery Hospital, where the Governor underwent further tests on Sunday, said he has been advised home isolation and a medical team would monitor him.

Purohit 'tested positive for COVID-19', hospital Executive Director Dr Aravindan Selvaraj said in the bulletin.

"He is asymptomatic and clinically stable," it said, adding the Governor underwent further tests and assessment at the hospital located at Alwarpet area in Chennai.

"As the infection is mild, he has been advised home isolation and will be monitored by the medical team of Kauvery Hospital," it added.

Purohit had earlier gone on seven-day self-isolation on July 29 based on doctor's advice after three people in the Raj Bhavan tested positive for coronavirus.

Earlier, as many as 84 security and fire services personnel deployed in the Raj Bhavan tested positive for the virus on July 23, but the Governor's office had then said none of them came into contact with Purohit or senior officials.

Palaniswami said he spoke to the Governor over phone.

'I wished the Hon'ble Governor of Tamil Nadu Shri Banwarilal Purohit ji, a speedy recovery in his fight against #COVID_19 over phone. All our prayers and wishes for him,' he tweeted.

Paneerselvam said: 'I pray Lord Almighty for the speedy recovery of Governor Mr Banwarilal Purohit.'

Stalin, the leader of Oppostion in Tamil Nadu Assembly, also took to Twitter to wish Purohit a speedy recovery and expressed his desire that the Governor resume his administrative work soon.