Deeply moved, says Deve Gowda on PM Modi’s offer after he tests Covid positive | Bengaluru - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Deeply moved, says Deve Gowda on PM Modi’s offer after he tests Covid positive

ByHT Correspondent, Hindustan Times, Bengaluru
Mar 31, 2021 02:58 PM IST

Ex-PM HD Deve Gowda and his wife have been admitted to hospital after he tested positive for Covid-19

Former prime minister HD Deve Gowda on Wednesday tweeted that he and his wife have tested positive for Covid-19, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to phone him and offer the Janata Dal (Secular) founder treatment at any hospital of his choice. Gowda didn’t take up PM Modi on his offer but promised to keep him informed about his health.

Former Prime Minister and JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda was in his Bengaluru house when he contracted the infection (PTI)
Former Prime Minister and JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda was in his Bengaluru house when he contracted the infection (PTI)

“I am grateful to Prime Minister @narendramodi for calling and enquiring after my health. I am also deeply moved by his offer to get me treated in any hospital of my choice in any city,” 87-year-old Gowda tweeted, replying to the prime minister message on the micro-blogging site.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“I assured him that I am being looked after well in Bangalore, but will keep him informed.”

Deve Gowda had announced just an hour earlier that he and his wife Chennamma had tested positive. The former PM said he and the other family members were self-isolating and asked people who came in contact with them over the past few days to get themselves tested. “I request party workers and well-wishers not to panic,” the JD (S) founder said on Twitter.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted soon after to say that he had spoken to the former PM and enquired about his and his wife’s health. “Praying for their quick recovery,” PM Modi tweeted, without mentioning details of their conversation.

The former PM and his wife, who were living in state capital Bengaluru, have been admitted to the city’s Manipal hospital.

Bengaluru is one of the 10 districts in the country that account for the majority of active Covid-19 cases in the country. The city is also responsible for a huge proportion of coronavirus cases reported in the state.

The Karnataka government has already acknowledged that the state is battling a second wave of coronavirus infection after a surge in cases reported over over the last few days, sparking concern in the southern state and New Delhi.

Data of new Covid-19 infections released by the Union health ministry on Wednesday indicates that the increase in active Covid-19 cases in Karnataka is next only to Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.

According to the Karnataka health department’s daily bulletin issued on Tuesday, 2,975 new Covid-19 cases were reported in the previous 24 hours pushing the active case count to 25,541 and the total since 8 March 2020 closer to the 1 million mark.

Bengaluru accounted for 1,984 cases, raising the number of active cases in the city to 17,582. Bengaluru also accounts for 11 of the 21 fatalities reported in the state, taking the state’s death toll to 12,541.

The state capital has reported around 13,000 cases in just a week, prompting the government to renew appeals to people to adhere to Covid appropriate behaviour such as wearing masks, hand hygiene and social distancing among people.

“In order to contain the disease, I appeal to the public to observe proper COVID restrictions and avoid crowding, otherwise it will become extremely difficult to bring the situation under control,” chief minister BS Yediyurappa said this week after a meeting to review the spread of the disease in the state and the capital city. Yediyurappa assured people that the government did not intend to impose a lockdown but introduced temporary restrictions on people gathering in public spaces.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On