<p>Maharashtra Social Justice Minister Dhananjay Munde has tested positive for coronavirus but he is asymptomatic and his condition is stable, Public Health Minister Rajesh Tope disclosed on Friday.</p>.<p>Munde, a Nationalist Congress Party leader, had attended a state cabinet meeting earlier this week and taken part in the NCP's foundation day event two days ago here.</p>.<p>He is a third minister in Maharashtra to contract the virus. Jitendra Awhad (NCP) and Ashok Chavan (Congress) had tested positive earlier; both recovered from the infection.</p>.<p>Asked whether others who had attended the cabinet meeting and the NCP event will be tested, Tope said social distancing was observed on both the occasions.</p>.<p>If anyone has suspicion (of having caught infection) or develops symptoms, he or she should be tested as per the Indian Council of Medical Research's guidelines, Tope said.</p>.<p>"It is true he (Munde) has tested positive. He is stable. He is asymptomatic, but there is a minor problem of breathlessness," the health minister told reporters.</p>.<p>"We are admitting him to Breach Candy Hospital (in South Mumbai). He is a fighter. He will be active in eight to ten days," Tope said.</p>.<p>Munde's private staff including the cook, drivers and personal assistant contracted coronavirus before him, he said.</p>.<p>"He was there at the cabinet meeting and NCP foundation day ceremony. But we observed social distancing during the meeting as instructed by Dada (Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar)," Tope said.</p>.<p>Munde was not a high-risk contact, he said. "High-risk contacts are ones with whom you stay throughout the day and not during an hour-long meeting," he said.</p>.<p>The NCP's foundation day event lasted only five minutes, Tope said, as only state NCP chief Jayant Patil made a short speech.</p>.<p>"Only five NCP leaders were present for the flag hoisting. Social distancing was strictly observed," he added.</p>.<p>"Testing can be conducted if any person develops symptoms. No question of conducting tests if there are no symptoms," Tope said.</p>.<p>The minister urged people to take all precautions including social distancing at public places and workplaces "till a vaccine becomes available". </p>
<p>Maharashtra Social Justice Minister Dhananjay Munde has tested positive for coronavirus but he is asymptomatic and his condition is stable, Public Health Minister Rajesh Tope disclosed on Friday.</p>.<p>Munde, a Nationalist Congress Party leader, had attended a state cabinet meeting earlier this week and taken part in the NCP's foundation day event two days ago here.</p>.<p>He is a third minister in Maharashtra to contract the virus. Jitendra Awhad (NCP) and Ashok Chavan (Congress) had tested positive earlier; both recovered from the infection.</p>.<p>Asked whether others who had attended the cabinet meeting and the NCP event will be tested, Tope said social distancing was observed on both the occasions.</p>.<p>If anyone has suspicion (of having caught infection) or develops symptoms, he or she should be tested as per the Indian Council of Medical Research's guidelines, Tope said.</p>.<p>"It is true he (Munde) has tested positive. He is stable. He is asymptomatic, but there is a minor problem of breathlessness," the health minister told reporters.</p>.<p>"We are admitting him to Breach Candy Hospital (in South Mumbai). He is a fighter. He will be active in eight to ten days," Tope said.</p>.<p>Munde's private staff including the cook, drivers and personal assistant contracted coronavirus before him, he said.</p>.<p>"He was there at the cabinet meeting and NCP foundation day ceremony. But we observed social distancing during the meeting as instructed by Dada (Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar)," Tope said.</p>.<p>Munde was not a high-risk contact, he said. "High-risk contacts are ones with whom you stay throughout the day and not during an hour-long meeting," he said.</p>.<p>The NCP's foundation day event lasted only five minutes, Tope said, as only state NCP chief Jayant Patil made a short speech.</p>.<p>"Only five NCP leaders were present for the flag hoisting. Social distancing was strictly observed," he added.</p>.<p>"Testing can be conducted if any person develops symptoms. No question of conducting tests if there are no symptoms," Tope said.</p>.<p>The minister urged people to take all precautions including social distancing at public places and workplaces "till a vaccine becomes available". </p>