Former PM Manmohan Singh Tests Positive, Hospitalised: Report

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, 88, has tested positive for COVID-19 and been admitted to the Trauma Centre of Delhi's AIIMS, according to news agency ANI. The veteran Congress leader, who was administered a Covid test after registering a fever, was admitted at around 5 pm.

Dr Singh has received his two vaccine doses (of Covaxin) - the first on March 4 and the second on April 3. Sources said he was shifted to hospital as "a matter of precaution".

AIIMS is expected to issue a more detailed statement.

Minutes after news of his admission broke, 'get well' messages began pouring in.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: "Wishing our former Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji good health and a speedy recovery."

Wishing our former Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji good health and a speedy recovery.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 19, 2021

"Dear Dr Manmohan Singhji, Wishing you a speedy recovery. India needs your guidance and advice in this difficult time," Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

Dear Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji,

Wishing you a speedy recovery.
India needs your guidance and advice in this difficult time.

- Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 19, 2021

"My prayers are with Manmohan Singh ji and his family today, and my deepest respect. May he fight this scourge with all his might and get well soon," Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said.

My prayers are with Manmohan Singh ji and his family today, and my deepest respect. May he fight this scourge with all his might and get well soon.

- Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) April 19, 2021

Former Union Minister P Chidambaram, who was a member of Dr Singh's cabinet, also tweeted.

"Deeply concerned that Dr Manmohan Singh has been hospitalised with fever. I pray that he will overcome this health setback with his indomitable courage. The prayers of the whole nation are with Dr Singh and wish him a speedy recovery," he said.

Deeply concerned that Dr Manmohan Singh has been hospitalised with fever.

I pray that he will overcome this health setback with his indomitable courage.

The prayers of the whole nation are with Dr Singh and wish him a speedy recovery.

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) April 19, 2021

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said he was "concerned" and wished him a speedy recovery.

"I am concerned about the health of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singhji as he has been admitted to AIIMS. My best wishes to him for a speedy recovery. May he get well soon," he posted.

I am concerned about the health of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh ji as he has been admitted to AIIMS. My best wishes to him for a speedy recovery. May he get well soon.

— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) April 19, 2021

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted: "I wish former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singhji good health and (an) early recovery."

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel wrote: "I am worried about the news of former Prime Minister and great economist Dr. Manmohan Singhji being Covid-positive. All of us pray to God for his speedy recovery. You are our identity and self-respect, get back healthy soon."

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote: "Just got the news former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Ji has tested positive for COVID. Sir, our thoughts and prayers for a speedy and full recovery."

Just got the news that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Ji has tested positive for COVID. Sir, our thoughts and prayers for a speedy and full recovery

- Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) April 19, 2021

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said: "Wishing a speedy recovery to Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh who tested positive for COVID."

Wishing a speedy recovery to Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh who tested positive for COVID.

— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) April 19, 2021

Another former Prime Minister - HD Devegowda - said he wished Dr Singh "a speedy recovery".

"I wish former Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh a speedy recovery from COVID-19."

I wish former Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh avaru a speedy recovery from COVID-19.

— H D Devegowda (@H_D_Devegowda) April 19, 2021

MK Stalin, the DMK chief and Leader of the Opposition in Tamil Nadu was "saddened" by the news

"I am saddened to hear that former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has tested positive for COVID-19. Wishing him a speedy and safe recovery back to good health."

I am saddened to hear that former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has tested positive for #COVID19.

Wishing him a speedy and safe recovery back to good health.

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) April 19, 2021

Actor-activist Swara Bhasker tweeted: "My prayers are with Manmohan Singh ji and his family today, and my deepest respect. May he fight this scourge with all his might and get well soon."

Get well soon #ManmohanSingh ji.. Prayers and bests for a speedy recovery! ????????????????????????

- Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) April 19, 2021

On Saturday Dr Singh participated in a meeting with top Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, on the coronavirus situation in the country.

Following this he wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, to offer some advice on handling a pandemic that has infected over 1.5 crore Indians and killed nearly 1.8 lakh.

He urged Prime Minister Modi to allow states to define categories of frontline workers that need to be vaccinated against Covid on priority "even if they are below 45 years of age".

This evening the centre opened up vaccination to all people over the age of 18, starting May 1.

Dr Singh also urged the centre to place "enough" vaccine orders in advance, and that the distribution of jabs among states should be based on a "transparent formula".

A shortage of Covid vaccines - India has two - Covaxin and Covishield - with doses Russia's Sputnik V expected soon as well - has made headlines, setting up a back-and-forth between the centre and states that say they have shut down some vaccination centres due to a lack of doses.

In his letter Dr Singh stressed on ramping up the vaccination drive to defeat the virus and said the centre had to proactively support vaccine producers in expanding manufacturing facilities.

Dr Singh's letter provoked a sharp and unflattering response from Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, who attacked his party and blamed it for fueling the second wave of the virus. India has reported a deeply frightening surge of Covid cases over the past few weeks.

This morning over 2.7 lakh were reported from the preceding 24 hours - the fifth straight day with over two lakh new cases - and over one lakh per day every day since April 7.

With input from ANI