UP Ayush minister struck by Covid-19, GB Nagar CMO, SDM quarantined

LUCKNOW: The list of VIPs being struck by novel coronavirus in the state has been growing. Uttar Pradesh Ayush minister Dharm Singh Saini is the latest to join the list after testing positive.
Saini, who is minister of state (independent charge) Ayush, food security and drug administration, is the second UP minister to have contracted the infection.
On Friday, cabinet minister for rural development Rajendra Pratap Singh (Moti Singh) and his wife tested positive and are being treated at Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences.
In another development, the chief medical officer (CMO) of Gautam Budh Nagar, Deepak Ohri was quarantined after he showed flu-like symptoms. Sub divisional magistrate, Sadar Tehsil, GB Nagar has also been quarantined.
CMO Saharanpur Dr B S Sodhi said, “Minister Dharm Singh Saini complained of cough and was tested for Covid-19. He has been admitted to Pilakhni Medical College after confirmation of infection. Samples of 27 persons who came in contact with him have been sent for testing.”
In Lucknow, five family members of minister Moti Singh also tested positive.
“Among the contacts of the minister, five tested positive. All necessary protocols are being followed,” said Dr Narendra Agarwal, CMO Lucknow.
Sources said Moti Singh’s son, daughter-in-law, two grandchildren and a close aide had tested positive. The CMO office has turned their Gautam Palli residence into containment zone.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition and Samajwadi Party veteran Ram Govind Chaudhary, who is undergoing treatment at Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, was put on oxygen support on Saturday.
Govind was admitted on June 23 and was reported to be stable. However, there were rumours that his condition had deteriorated. SGPGI medical superintendent Dr R K Singh said, “The patient is on oxygen support, but he is stable and all his co-morbidities are under control as of now.”
Sources said the 67-year-old politician complained of breathing difficulty after which he was shifted to ICU. Doctors said he was put on oxygen support to limit chance of complications.
So far, at least six politicians in the state and their 12 contacts have been infected .