After Milkha, his wife tests positive; both doing fine

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, May 26

After Milkha Singh, his 82-year-old wife Nirmal Milkha Singh has been also tested positive for Covid-19.

The former captain of the Indian volleyball team and former Joint Director, Sports, UT, Chandigarh, was admitted to Fortis Hospital today. Earlier, she had tested negative along with other members. Both Milkha and Nirmal have been put on oxygen support.

“Milkha Singh continues to be stable on oxygen support. However, he is weak and we are trying to persuade him to increase his food intake. Today, we stepped him down from the ICU to a room, which he is sharing with his wife Nirmal Milkha Singh, who was admitted earlier in the day with Covid pneumonia. Both are being closely monitored,” read a medical bulletin issued by the hospital.

“Mom and dad are on oxygen. They will pull through,” said Jeev Milkha Singh.

Sources said Nirmal underwent a test on Wednesday and was later admitted to the hospital following suggestions by her daughter. Earlier on Tuesday, the legendary athlete was said to clinically stable with decreasing oxygen requirement. He had wished to take a stroll.

“Both are doing fine and maintaining good saturation levels. Milkha is not taking any food for two days now. He wished to take a walk. However, he is also under strict observation. Nirmal is also responding well to the treatment,” said a source.

The legendary athlete is a four-time Asian Games gold medallist and the 1958 Commonwealth Games champion but his greatest performance was the fourth-place finish in the 400m final of the 1960 Rome Olympics. His timing at the Italian capital remained the national record for 38 years till Paramjeet Singh broke it in 1998. He also represented India in the 1956 and 1964 Olympics and was bestowed the Padma Shri in 1959. Nirmal, meanwhile, is known to be a dedicated administrator, who worked for the welfare of sportspersons.

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