Three generations of Bollywood’s Bachchan family hit by COVID-19
Amitabh Bachchan, who along with his son Abhishek, was admitted to Nanavati hospital on Saturday after testing positive for Covid-19, is stable with mild symptoms, the hospital said. Two residences of the actor – Jalsa and Janak – have been sealed and declared containment zones.
Mumbai Police have beefed up security outside the Nanavati Hospital as well as outside the megastar’s two bungalows in Juhu area. After the Bachchans on Saturday said they tested positive for corona virus and were admitted to hospital some people tried to gather outside the medical facility located in Vile Parle (West), but they were asked to leave the road.
A series of tweets were shared on the status of actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and her eight-year-old daughter’s COVID-19 test results. One from Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said both had tested positive – it was deleted just minutes later.
Meantime, Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar said Aishwarya and daughter had both tested negative, news agency PTI reported. The ensuing confusion was ended by actor Abhishek Bachchan who announced in tweets that his wife and daughter had indeed tested positive and were isolated at home in Mumbai. Abhishek himself tested positive for the virus as did his father Amitabh Bachchan both are in Mumbai’s Nanavati Hospital.
“Aishwarya(46) and Aaradhya (8) have also tested COVID-19 positive. They will be self quarantining at home,” he tweeted, saying other family members had tested negative and thanking Indians for their wishes and prayers said Abhishek in his tweet. “My father and I remain in hospital till the doctors decide otherwise. Everyone please remain cautious and safe. Please follow all rules!” added Abhishek Bachchan,
India has the world’s third highest COVID-19 case load, registering a record increase on Sunday that took the number of infections to nearly 850,000. Partial lockdowns have been reimposed in some densely populated areas. Health ministry data showed that more than 27,100 new cases were reported in the previous 24 hours, while deaths increased to 22,674.
Meanwhile, an official in the prime minister’s office( PMO) told Reuters that senior bureaucrats and ministers had been asked to show restraint on tweeting about the Bachchan family to avoid speculation and ensure there was equality of treatment for all patients.
SEnior Bachchan wrote: “I have tested COVID-19 positive… shifted to hospital… hospital informing authorities .. family and staff undergone tests, results awaited…All that have been in close proximity to me in the last 10 days are requested to please get themselves tested!” All residents have been placed under a 14-day quarantine. The other Bachchan properties Pratiksha and two other bungalows – have also been sealed.
Amitabh Bachchan has been a prominent figure in the fight against the coronavirus, appearing in public service advertisements where, in his trademark baritone, he urges people to wear masks, wash hands frequently and maintain social distance.
India’s film industry recently resumed shoots after a months-long hiatus following a nationwide lockdown in late March. But actors over 65, such as Amitabh Bachchan, have been banned from the sets because of their vulnerability.
India has the world’s third highest COVID-19 case load, registering a record increase on Sunday that took the number of infections to nearly 850,000. Partial lockdowns have been reimposed in some densely populated areas.
(Bureau Report witg Agency Inputs)
