Himachal Pradesh CM Jai Ram Thakur tests positive for Covid-19

The chief minister is in home isolation since October 3 when he came in contact with Banjar MLA Surender Shourie, who tested positive, before the Atal Tunnel inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur, 55, tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday.

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur (second from left) along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and defence minister Rajnath Singh at the inauguration of Atal Tunnel under the Rohtang Pass on October 3. Thakur isolated himself after the event. (HT file photo)

Thakur was already in self isolation since October 3 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Atal Tunnel at Rohtang Pass.

The chief minister had come in contact with Banjar legislator Surender Shourie at a helipad while receiving defence minister Rajnath Singh for the inauguration. After Shourie tested positive for coronavirus disease, Thakur isolated himself at his official residence, Oak Over, in Shimla on October 3.

In a tweet, Thakur said, “Due to contact with a corona positive person, I was quarantined at my residence for the past one week. Due to symptoms of the virus for the past two days, I got a Covid-19 test done today, which has been reported positive. I am isolated in my official residence on the advice of doctors.”

RN Batta, the principal private secretary to the chief minister, has also tested positive for Covid-19.