From Amit Shah to Nitin Gadkari, here is a list of Union ministers who contracted Covid-19

“Yesterday, I was feeling weak and consulted my doctor. During the course of my check up, I have been tested COVID-19 positive,” Gadkari tweeted. “I am at present doing well with the blessings and good wishes of all. I have isolated myself,” he said.

Here is a list of other union ministers who have tested positive for Covid-19

Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the 74th Independence Day at his residence in New Delhi. Shah tested positive for Covid-19 on August 2 (PTI)

Home Minister Amit Shah was the first member in the Union cabinet to test positive for novel coronavirus on August 2. The 55-year-old BJP leader was admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon. A fortnight later, he said he tested negative for the infection and added that he will stay in home isolation for a few more days.

He was later admitted to AIIMS on August 18 for post-Covid-19 care after he had complained of fatigue and body ache. Ahead of the Parliament monsoon session, Shah on September 13, was again admitted to AIIMS for two days for a complete medical check-up.

Prahlad Patel

Union Culture and Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel. (File Photo)

Union Culture and Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel tested Covid-19 positive on September 17. The BJP MP from Damoh Lok Sabha seat in Madhya Pradesh in a tweet said: “I have tested positive. Those who met me on Tuesday should take adequate precautions,”

Dharmendra Pradhan

Union Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan tested positive for Covid-19 on August 4 (File photo)

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan tested positive for Covid-19 on August 4, the second in the union cabinet to contract the virus. Pradhan was also admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon, where Home Minister Amit Shah was undergoing treatment.

Sources had then informed news agency PTI that Pradhan had met Shah before he tested positive for the virus. Two other Union ministers — Ravi Shankar Prasad and Babul Supriyo — also stayed in isolation as they had met Shah before he tested positive. They have not been tested positive.

Arjun Ram Meghwal

New Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal tested positive for Covid-19 in a second screening. (File/PTI)

Minister of State Arjun Ram Meghwal tested positive for novel coronavirus on August 9. Meghwal said he tested positive in a second screening after testing negative the first time even as he showed initial symptoms. He was admitted to AIIMS.

The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Heavy industries had in July endorsed a papad brand, saying it had ingredients which will boost a person’s immunity and help defeat coronavirus. His video caused a storm on social media, with people criticising the unscientific claims.

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at his residence in New Delhi (File/Express Photo: Anil Sharma)

Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat announced that he tested positive for novel coronavirus on August 20.

A day before testing positive, the minister held two important meetings. One, on the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL), was attended by Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh virtually while his Haryana counterpart M L Khattar was physically present at the meeting with Shekhwat, his deputy in the ministry Rattan Lal Kataria, and senior officials.

Kataria was also present for another meeting alongside Shekhwat in a virtual conference with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E K Palaniswami.

Shripad Naik

Shripad Naik: On August 24, a second health review of the minister saw teams from AIIMS Delhi being flown to Goa.

Union AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik tested positive for Covid-19 on August 13. He had opted to isolate himself at home. On August 24, a second health review of the minister saw teams from AIIMS Delhi being flown to Goa. Doctors said Naik’s test results came negative for Covid-19 but “a second review was felt needed as his chest probes needed a second opinion”.

Naik, who is also the minister of state for defence, had earlier claimed that yoga practitioners have less chances of getting infected by coronavirus. In April, Naik had claimed that ayurvedic treatment helped UK’s Prince Charles to be cured of coronavirus.

Kailash Chaudhary

Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Chaudhary (Source: Facebook/TeamKailashChoudhary)

Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Chaudhary tested positive for novel coronavirus on August 8. He underwent treatment for the same at a hospital in Jodhpur.

Also Read | Other politicians who tested positive for Covid-19

Meanwhile, the number of novel coronavirus cases in the country has crossed 51 lakh, after detecting 90,123 fresh cases. The tally of 51,18,253 cases includes 10,09,976 patients who are undergoing treatment and 4,025,079 who have recovered. With 1,132 additional deaths, the toll rose to 83,138