HYDERABAD: A senior
Telangana Congress has tested positive for Covid-19. He is the first among the top
Congress leaders in the state to have contracted the virus.
His car driver and personal security guard have quarantined themselves even as their test reports are expected late in the evening or on Thursday.
Fortunately, he has not met his family members for over two weeks now as he wanted to stay away from them because of his public life wherein he has been distributing sanitisers and masks among the poor.
His last visit was to Lallaguda in Secunderabad constituency a week ago. The local leaders who participated in masks and sanitisers distribution with him too have quarantined themselves.
Earlier, an ex-MLA of BJP and at least three ruling TRS party legislators have tested positive. The TRS ministers have appealed to the people not to come in person to meet them but call them on phone to submit their grievances keeping in view the safety of everyone from covid-19.
The congress leader has been admitted to a corporate hospital where his condition is said to be stable. Interestingly, this is the congress leader who had been repeatedly demanding that TRS-government needs to conduct more tests and that chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s strategy of conducting less number of tests will cost the people dearly.
"I went for Covid-19 test after early symptoms of loss of taste and smell. The result was positive for coronavirus,” he said.
He was actively involved in the relief activities during the lockdown period and also organised awareness programmes against coronavirus.
"The state government has been denying community transmission in Telangana. But my case could be a strong indication. I don't have any recent travel history. I have not come in touch with any identified covid-19 patient or their close contacts. The state government should admit of community transmission as it will make people to stay more alert and prevent further spread of coronavirus," he said.
Interestingly, he was among the first politicians to question the state government for not permitting the ICMR approved private labs to conduct covid-19 tests. "Coronavirus cases can be traced only through massive testing which will help in early treatment,” he said.
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword. Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes, messages, and quotes.