Former Himachal CM Virbhadra tests Covid +ve again

Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 11

Former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh (86) has been again found to be infected with Covid within two months of testing positive for the first time on April 12. “He was running fever, following which he was tested for Covid yesterday. The test report received today showed infection,” said Dr Rajnish Pathania, Principal of IGMC Hospital, Shimla.

Virbhadra Singh has been admitted to the IGMC for over a month, recuperating from heart and kidney-related ailments and diabetes. “We are constantly monitoring his health condition,” said Dr Pathania. The former Chief Minister has now been shifted to the makeshift Covid hospital on the premises of the hospital. Also, it is being suspected that he caught the infection from his attendants or the attending hospital staff.

“He is on a bi-weekly dialysis. The process of dialysis leaves one vulnerable to infection,” said Dr Rahul Gupta, Deputy Medical Superintendent. “Also, he is highly immune-compromised. Besides renal issues, he is battling diabetes and heart-related problems,” he added.

A doctor said that there was a possibility of a new Covid variant bypassing vaccine-induced or infection-induced antibodies in some cases.

Virbhadra was treated for Covid at Max Hospital in Mohali (Punjab) and was brought back to Shimla on April 30. However, he was admitted to the IGMC the same day after he complained of uneasiness and is recuperating at the hospital since then. He had received his first dose of the vaccine on March 3.