H D Deve Gowda, his wife test positive for Covid-19

Former prime minister and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda and his wife Chennamma got admitted to Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru for Covid-19 treatment on Wednesday.

The octogenarian leader took to Twitter to ask everyone who came in contact with him over the last few days to get tested. "My wife Chennamma and I have tested positive for Covid-19. We are self-isolating along with other family members. We are self-isolating along with other family members," he said.

The senior leader is set to celebrate his 90th birthday in May this year.

Speaking to DH, cardiologist and Gowda's son-in-law Dr CN Manjunath said, Chennamma, Gowda’s wife, had developed fever and tested positive. Even though Gowda's RT-PCR test showed negative, he was admitted on precautionary grounds, Dr Manjunath said.

“His chest CT showed early changes. Hence, he has been admitted as a precaution,” he said. While Chennamma has taken her first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, Gowda himself has not yet been vaccinated. “He had developed fever two weeks ago. So, his vaccination was deferred,” Dr Manjunath added.

Both of them are said to be in stable condition.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Gowda over the telephone wishing him a speedy recovery. "I am grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi 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. I assured him that I am being looked after well in Bangalore, but will keep him informed," Gowda said in a tweet.