Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has tested positive for the COVID-19 viral infection on Wednesday, becoming the seventh minister in Modi's cabinet to spell positive for the pandemic and the development has come amid the monsoon session of the Parliament. 

Gadkari issued conformity on getting tested positive through Twitter. By taking to Twitter, he said, "Yesterday, I was feeling weak and consulted my Doctor. During the course of my check-up, I have been tested COVID 19 positive. I am at present doing well with the blessings and good wishes of all. I have isolated myself."

In another tweet, the minister stated, "I request everyone who has come in my contact to be careful and follow the protocol. Stay safe". Nitin Gadkari is one of the senior leaders close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he has been serving as the Union Minister for the Road Transport, Highways, and MSMEs. 

I request everyone who has come in my contact to be careful and follow the protocol. Stay safe.

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) September 16, 2020

According to reports, his office has said that the minister is in Nagpur currently and he has a slight fever and he has isolated himself. Nitin Gadkari is the seventh minister in the Modi cabinet to confirm to have contracted to the viral infection, and the first one to have tested positive during the ongoing Parliamentary session, where over dozens of MPs had tested positive for the pandemic so far and Gadkari has attended the first day of the session. 

Previously, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had tested positive for the viral infection last month, becoming the first minister in the Modi cabinet and following Amit Shah, Union Minister of Petroleum Dharmendra Pradhan, Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik, Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Chaudhary and Minister of State for Water Resources and River Development Arjun Ram Meghwal had spelled positive for the global pandemic so far. 

The reports say that around 30 MPs, 50 employees attached to the Parliament, and at least one media person had tested positive for the viral infection amid the session, which has been convened under the grid of stringent guidelines and protocols for the MPs and other staff of both chambers. All the MPs, staff, and media persons covering the proceedings had got tested for COVID-19 before the start of the session on Monday and the MPs are mandated to enter their respective chamber with the COVID-19 negative report.