New Delhi:

Former President Pranab Mukherjee this afternoon said that he has tested positive for the coronavirus while on a hospital visit for a separate procedure.

In a tweet, Pranab Mukherjee, who was India’s president between 2012 and 2017, urged all those who has come in contact with him in the last week to isolate themselves as a precaution and get tested for COVID-19. The outbreak has affected over 22 lakh people in the country.

“On a visit to the hospital for a separate procedure, I have tested positive for COVID19 today. I request the people who came in contact with me in the last week, to please self isolate and get tested for COVID-19. #CitizenMukherjee,” the 84-year-old former president tweeted today.

On a visit to the hospital for a separate procedure, I have tested positive for COVID19 today.
I request the people who came in contact with me in the last week, to please self isolate and get tested for COVID-19. #CitizenMukherjee

— Pranab Mukherjee (@CitiznMukherjee) August 10, 2020

Minutes after Pranab Mukherjee posted the tweet, wishes for his speedy recovery poured on social media.

“Please take care sir. We are praying for your speedy recovery and good health @CitiznMukherjee (sic),” Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote on Twitter.

“Sir, wishing you a speedy recovery and a long and healthy life,” Ajay Maken, ex-Delhi Congress chief tweeted.

“I pray for the well being and speedy recovery of Shri Pranab Mukherjee. I am confident he will be successful in recovering from the virus quickly. Wishing him strength and good health,” Union Minister Piyush Goyal tweeted.

“Wishing Former President Shri. Pranab Mukherjee a speedy recovery from COVID-19 and good health (sic),” Karnataka Congress leader DK Shivakumar wrote.

“A prolific reader, Pranab Mukherjee has authored several books on the Indian Economy and on Nation Building. The many awards and honours conferred on him include India’s second highest civilian award, Padma Vibhusan in 2008, the Best Parliamentarian Award in 1997 and Best Administrator in India Award in 2011,” according to the profile on his official website.

Several top politicians in the country, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, Congress leader Siddaramaiah, have tested positive for coronavirus in the last few weeks.

India is the third worst-hit country by the pandemic after the United States and Brazil. This morning, the country passed 22 lakh coronavirus cases, just four days after crossing the 20-lakh mark. Over 44,000 patients have died since the beginning of the pandemic.

India has been recording a bigger single-day jump in fresh Covid infections than the US and Brazil for the last six days.