Defence secretary is 1st top bureaucrat to test Covid +ve, goes into quarantine

Defence secretary Ajay Kumar has examined positive for the coronavirus illness (Covid-19) and is underneath house quarantine, two folks conversant in the event stated on Wednesday on the situation of anonymity. Kumar bought himself examined for Covid-19 after growing gentle fever and was discovered to be contaminated, stated one of many individuals.

“He tested positive on Tuesday. His condition is stable and he will stay at home till he tests negative,” stated one other particular person.

A defence ministry spokesperson refused to touch upon the matter.

Necessary contact tracing is being carried out within the case of the defence secretary to establish folks he might have just lately are available contact with and who might now be within the high-risk class, officers stated.

Kumar is the primary prime authorities official to test positive for the illness.

The chief of defence employees and the three service chiefs might not have had direct contact with Kumar over the past 4 days, the officers added. Defence minister Rajnath Singh didn’t attend workplace on Wednesday nevertheless it was not instantly identified why. The minister is discharging his duties as standard, the officers stated.

The first-floor part of the South Block by which the defence secretary has his workplace is being sanitised. All protocols are being adopted. Nothing is being taken frivolously, the officers stated. Several prime officers have their places of work on the primary flooring together with the defence minister, the military chief, the navy chief and a string of bureaucrats.

Also, extra Covid-19 circumstances have surfaced in Shastri Bhawan as Delhi has witnessed a gradual enhance in infections. According to officers, a joint secretary within the legislation ministry and the motive force of a joint secretary within the tradition ministry have additionally examined positive for the extremely contagious illness.

Some days in the past, a piece officer within the coal ministry died as a result of Covid-19.