Gujarat BJP President CR Paatil tests positive for COVID-19 again

Gujarat BJP chief had first tested positive on Sept 9; sources say he will have to stay hospitalised for at least another five days

Gujarat BJP president CR Paatil has again tested positive for Covid-19. He had first tested positive on September 9 after being admitted to a private hospital. Sources said he will have to seek treatment in the hospital for at least another five days.

The Navsari MP was admitted to the Apollo Hospital near Gandhinagar following complaints of weakness after addressing rallies in North Gujarat. His CT scan report had revealed high viral load following which the RT-PCR test also came back positive.

“The second test has been positive, but my condition is improving as the viral load is less than earlier reports. I am taking treatment as advised by doctors and will be discharged soon,” said Paatil while talking to Mirror from the hospital.

Many BJP leaders including MPs and MLAs have tested positive and quarantined as they had either accompanied Paatil to his rallies or met him in Saurashtra and North Gujarat.

Paatil’s state-wide tour over the past 15 days, during which he addressed several public rallies and meetings, came in for severe criticism as social distancing and health protocols went for a toss.

Following Paatil’s hospitalisation, his tour to Bhavnagar, Botad and Amreli have been postponed.