Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das has tested positive for the COVID-19 viral infection on Sunday. The development has become shocking to the nation and he took to Twitter and issued conformity that he had contracted to the global pandemic.

The Governor asserted that he is asymptomatic and alerted those who have come in contact with him in recent days, and cited that he will continue to work in isolation. By taking to Twitter, Shaktikanta Das said, "I have tested COVID-19 positive. Asymptomatic. Feeling very much alright. Have alerted those who came in contact in recent days. Will continue to work from isolation. Work in RBI will go on normally. I am in touch with all Dy. Govs and other officers through VC and telephone".

I have tested COVID-19 positive. Asymptomatic.Feeling very much alright.Have alerted those who came in contact in recent days.Will continue to work from isolation. Work in RBI will go on normally. I am in touch with all Dy. Govs and other officers through VC and telephone.

— Shaktikanta Das (@DasShaktikanta) October 25, 2020

According to reports, Das and the entire staff of RBI have been working from the office ever since the lockdown was announced. The RBI Governor was active during the lockdown period and held crucial meetings towards fixing and balancing the economy and financial market amid the unprecedented lockdown and restrictions.  

The Central Bank had kept the essential services such as currency in circulation, retail and wholesale payment and settlement systems, reserve management, financial markets, and liquidity management. Earlier, the RBI Spokesperson said that the officials had maintained hygiene standards and followed the essential protocols. 

The Governor had attended the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting that was held from October 7 to 9. During the meeting, Das said the risk of a second wave of COVID-19 could apply brakes to the recovering economy. Earlier, the rate-setting panel of the RBI had alarmed that the uncertainties relating to the COVID-19 outbreak would impact growth and inflation scenarios in the next two to three quarters.  

According to reports, RBI currently has a full strength of four deputy governors - MK Jain, MD Patra, BP Kanungo, and M Rajeshwar Rao. India has reported 79,09,960 COVID-19 positive cases so far as of Monday morning 8 am of which 71,37,228 had got recovered and 1,19,014 had succumbed to the viral infection. In the last 24 hours till Monday morning 8 am, the country has reported 45,149 new cases, 59,105 fresh discharges, and 480 fresh deaths.