JDS leader H.D. Kumaraswamy tests COVID-19 positive

Mr. Kumaraswamy had been campaigning for the party candidate in Basavakalyan, which is going to bypoll today

H.D. Kumaraswamy. File

Janata Dal (Secular) leader and former Chief Minister of Karnataka H.D. Kumaraswamy has tested positive for COVID-19.

He announced this on Twitter on Saturday and urged those who came in close contact with him over the last few days to isolate themselves and get tested.

His mother Chennamma Devegowda had earlier tested positive and his father H.D. Devegowda too was in isolation for sometime as a precaution.

"No beds available in Manipal Hospitals"

On Friday Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa tested positive for COVID-19.

JDS MLC Ramesh Gowda has alleged that Mr. Kumaraswamy was refused admission at Manipal Hospitals due to non-availability of beds.

He could not get get admission despite the intervention of Health and Medical Education Minister K. Sudhakar.

According to a statement from Mr. Gowda, Mr. Kumaraswamy, who returned after campaigning  for the bypolls in Basavakalyan on Friday, first chose to get admitted in Manipal Hospitals after he tested positive.

“However, there was no bed available in Manipal Hospitals. The Health Minister also could not get it for him. He later chose to get admitted in another hospital,” the statement said.

C.N. Manjunath, director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, who is the brother-in-law of Mr. Kumaraswamy said he is being admitted to Apollo Hospitals on Bannerghatta Road.

Meanwhile, the JDS leader’s son Nikhil Kumaraswamy has also tested positive. He tweeted asking all those who came in his contact to get tested.

Mr. Kumaraswamy’s wife Anita Kumaraswamy, who represents Ramanagaram in the Assembly has been advised home quarantine till her reports arrive.