Former PM Manmohan Singh tests positive for COVID-19; admitted to AIIMS

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, April 19

Former PM Manmohan Singh was on Monday admitted to AIIMS with mild fever and tested COVID-positive.

The 88-year-old Congress veteran and his wife Gursharan Kaur had taken his first shot of the COVID vaccine at AIIMS on March 4. Both have also taken their second shots on April 3. 

Medical experts say anti-bodies to the virus would take two weeks after the second dose to develop.   

Also read: Vardhan slams Manmohan Singh, says Congress-ruled states busy raising doubts about vaccines

AIIMS sources said Singh was stable and his symptoms mild.

Singh had yesterday written to PM Narendra Modi to ramp up vaccinations and allow states the flexibility to define age criteria for the frontline staff.

The advice has drawn a sharp response from the central government, including Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.  

Meanwhile, wishes for the speedy recovery of the Congress veteran poured in following his hospitalisation.

"Wishing our former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh Ji good health and a speedy recovery," Modi tweeted

"Wishing you a speedy recovery. India needs your guidance and advice in this difficult time," former Congress president Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

Former union minister P Chidambaram, chief ministers Ashok Gehlot, Amarinder Singh and Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu and several other leaders expressed concern over Singh's health and voiced hope that he will recover soon.

"My prayers are with Manmohan Singh ji and his family today, and my deepest respect. May he fight this scourge with all his might and get well soon," Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said on Twitter.

Banerjee said, "Just got the news that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Ji has tested positive for COVID. Sir, our thoughts and prayers for a speedy and full recovery".

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