Maharashtra minister Aslam Shaikh tests Covid-19 positive

Maharashtra Congress Minister Aslam Shaikh has tested positive for the coronavirus. The minister took to Twitter to confirm the development and said that he has put himself in home quarantine.

Mumbai:Maharashtra minister and senior Congress leader Aslam Shaikh has tested positive for Covid-19.

Shaikh, 47, is a three-time MLA from Malad West, and holds the textiles, fisheries and portfolios, besides being the Guardian Minister of Mumbai City.

"This is to inform that I’ve tested positive for COVID19. I’m currently asymtomatic and isolating myself. I request all those who have come in close contact with me to get themselves tested. I will continue to work from home to serve the people of my state," Aslam said in an early-morning tweet.

Shaikh is the fourth cabinet member of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray ministry to get infected in the past four months.

Public Works Department minister Ashok Chavan, Housing Minister Jitendra Awhad and Social Justice minister Dhananjay Munde were earlier hospitalised with the infection. All of them have recovered.

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The first was Nationalist Congress Party's Jitendra Awhad in April, followed by Congress' Ashok Chavan and Dhananjay Munde also of NCP.

At present, there are 1,20,780 active cases in the state and the death toll is pegged at 11,452. A total of 1,60,357 patients have been cured and discharged till date.

Maharashtra remains the worst-affected state hit by COVID-19. The state recorded its highest single-day jump of 9,518 infections and 258 more fatalities.

(With agency inputs)