Manmohan Singh’s condition improving; coronavirus test comes negative

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was rushed to AIIMS on Sunday after he developed reaction to medication and complained of uneasiness, is recuperating well and had tested negative for COVID-19, a Congress functionary said here on Monday.

The 87-year-old economist-turned-politician, had no fever throughout Monday and was expected to be discharged from AIIMS in a day or two.

The Congress functionary said that Singh had tested negative for COVID-19 and results for a series of other tests were awaited.

Earlier, hospital sources said Singh was admitted to AIIMS for observation after he developed a febrile reaction to a new medication.

Singh was under the care of Dr Nitish Naik, professor of cardiology at the AIIMS.

Singh has a history of diabetes and had also undergone bypass surgeries in 1990 and 2009 and a stenting procedure in 2004.

A man of few words and calm demeanour, Singh was one of the longest serving prime ministers having served two consecutive five-year terms, a feat achieved only by Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

Prayers wishing Singh a speedy recovery poured in from across the country as soon as the news about his illness spread.

Singh is a member of the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan. His last ‘public appearance’ was on May 6, when he participated in a video conference of chief ministers of Congress-ruled states convened by Congress President Sonia Gandhi.