Contracted Coronavirus Due To "Overconfidence", Says Maharashtra Minister

Jitendra Awhad said coronavirus made him realise that he had been careless about his health.

Maharashtra minister and senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Jitendra Awhad today said he was infected with the novel coronavirus infection due to "overconfidence".

Mr Awhad, MLA from Mumbra-Kausa, had gone into precautionary quarantine on April 13 after some of his security staff tested positive for the virus, and got himself admitted to a private hospital on April 19 where he was detected with the infection some days later.

Mr Awhad, who said he had pre-existing medical conditions like hypertension and diabetes, was discharged after recovery on May 10.

"It was due to sheer overconfidence I contracted the coronavirus infection. The period between April 23 and 26 was the most crucial in my life. My family was informed that there were little chances of my survival. I was extremely scared for my life. I spent every minute thinking of life and death," he told a news channel.

He said he had even written a note while in intensive care unit (ICU) which stated that all his property be given to his daughter in case something happened to him.

"The disease made me realise that I have been highly reckless about my health and lifestyle. I had completely forgotten there is life outside politics. Now, I realise my life needs to be more disciplined," he said.