Tirath Singh Rawat had tested positive for Covid earlier this month.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat this afternoon tweeted that he has tested positive for coronavirus. Mr Rawat was sworn in earlier this month after the resignation of Trivendra Singh Rawat.
In his tweet, the 56-year-old BJP leader said he has gone under self-isolation. "My coronavirus test report has come out to be positive. I am doing fine and facing no issues at all. I have gone under self-isolation under supervision of doctors. All those who have come in contact with me recently, please get yourself tested and take precautions."
"I pray for everyone's well-being," he posted in Hindi.
Shortly after, his predecessor Trivendra Singh Rawat tweeted in Hindi: "I got the information about the respected chief minister testing positive for coronavirus. I pray for his good health, long life and quick recovery."
Staring at the second Covid wave, India has been witnessing a surge in cases. This morning, the government said 46,951 cases were recorded in the last 24 hours; this is the biggest single-day spike since early November. Over the last week, the country has seen a sharp spike with Maharashtra again recording the highest number of cases.
Yesterday, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was hospitalised after he tested positive for Covid.
Meanwhile, Tirath Singh Rawat took charge earlier this month after days of speculation about a leadership change in the state amid allegations of non-performance and resentment within the Uttarakhand BJP over Trivendra Singh Rawat's style of functioning.
Within the last few weeks, however, several comments by the new Chief Minister have made headlines. After triggering controversy over his comments on women wearing ripped jeans, he blamed the United States for ruling India for 200 years. Another controversial comment was about families struggling to feed themselves.