Twelve days after Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K.P. Anbalagan was admitted to a private hospital in Chennai for suspected novel coronavirus infection, his second sample has come out positive for COVID-19, a statement put out by the hospital on Tuesday said.
The Madras Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (MIOT) International Hospital in Chennai said that the minister had mild symptoms and that his vital parameters are normal. “Initially he showed no symptoms and his CT scan was normal, but still as a precautionary measure he was kept under observation. Subsequently, his second sample tested positive for Covid-19. He developed mild cough yesterday and is being treated for the same. He is at present very stable and all vital parameters are normal,” the statement said.
On June 17, Anbalagan went to MIOT hospital to get tested for SARS-C0V-2. According to highly placed sources in the state secretariat, he took a CT scan which came out clear, but he tested positive. He was categorised under mild infection, and treatment began, according to sources. Incidentally, Anbalagan is part of the ministerial COVID-19 control team, which oversees coordination and relief work in Chennai city corporation limits. He is one of the six ministers, who handles Adyar, Perungudi and Sholinganallur areas in Chennai. The minister had attended a review meeting on June 17, along with his cabinet colleagues and other officials at Rippon Building, the corporation headquarters in Chennai.
A day after he was admitted, Union Minister of State For Human Resource Development Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' tweeted saying, “just got to know that minister KP Anbalagan has tested positive for Covid 19! Sincerely wish and pray to the god almighty for his speedy recovery. Hoping he gets healthy and well soon.” However, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, during a press meet, denied that the minister was infected, saying, “he himself has denied it”.
Tuesday’s medical bulletin from the MIOT hospital, said that his second test returned positive, but does not confirm whether his first test was positive. According to sources in the secretariat, Anbalagan and four of his staff members tested positive for COVID-19 on June 19. Sources also say that the minister underwent a major surgery, a few years ago and has comorbidities.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam’s brother, O. Raja, has been tested positive and is being treated at a private hospital in Madurai. It is said Raja contracted the virus from his driver.
