Delhi minister Satyendar Jain tests negative for Covid-19, likely to be sent home today

Earlier this week, the minister was moved to the general ward following improvement in his condition. His oxygen support was also removed.

Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain, who has been recovering in a city hospital since June 17, tested negative for coronavirus on Friday. Sources say the minister may be released sometime later today.

Satyendar Jain’s condition improved after receiving plasma therapy on Friday night. (HT photo)

Earlier this week, the minister was moved to the general ward following improvement in his condition. The minister’s oxygen support was also removed.

Jain, 55, was initially admitted to Delhi government’s Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital. However, after developing pneumonia, a known Covid-19 complication, and complaints of breathlessness and giddiness, he was moved to Max Hospital where he was put on oxygen support in the ICU.

His condition improved after receiving plasma therapy on Friday night. Convalescent plasma therapy is an experimental medical procedure, where critical Covid-19 patients are treated using plasma collected from those who have recovered from the viral infection.

Earlier today, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said the government has got the permission to conduct plasma therapy at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital (LNJP) and Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality hospital. Since the start of plasma therapy at LNJP hospital, Kejriwal said, the number of deaths has reduced to less than half as compared to earlier.

“It may be difficult to save very serious patients using plasma therapy, but it can help moderate patients by not letting their condition worsen. This is what we have found till now,” said the CM.