Uttarakhand Tourism Minister's son tested negative of COVID-19

As a major relief, Uttarakhand's Tourism Minister, Satpal Maharaj's son on Monday tested negative of COVID-19. Earlier, Maharaj, his wife and 21 other people family members, staff and his followers staying in the same household have tested positive.

Dehradun: Uttarakhand Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj's son tested negative for coronavirus on Monday. However, it is not cleared that which son has tested negative as the Minister has two sons.

Earlier on Sunday, Maharaj, who had attended a cabinet meeting just three days ago, tested positive for COVID-19 along with four family members.

The state health department said there was no need for the ministers and officials who attended Friday's meeting to isolate themselves, going by the Centre's guidelines.

"The ministers and officials fall into the category of low-risk contacts as they were not in close contact with Satpal Maharaj. They can function in a normal way and there is no need to quarantine them," state Health Secretary Amit Negi said.

They are being taken to AIIMS for treatment. The state health department team took a sample of 41 people out of which a total of 21 people turned positive.

The minister and the rest of the family were home quarantined at their residence in the city.

The number of COVID-19 cases in Uttarakhand has risen to 929 after 23 fresh cases of COVID reported on Monday.

(With input from PTI)