Former Indian Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda has been hospitalized in Bengaluru after testing positive for the Covid-19 pandemic. 88-year-old Deve Gowda, who is the Chief of Janata Dal (Secular) party, has been admitted to the hospital as a precautionary measure, though he hasn't reported severe symptoms. 

According to reports, Deve Gowda has confirmed to have contracted the viral infection on the evening hours of Friday- January 21. He has mild symptoms and has been hospitalized in Manipal Hospital in the Old Airport Road, Bengaluru. The hospital authorities have said that his condition is stable. Deve Gowda's son-in-law CN Manjunath, who is also the director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, said that the former prime minister has mild symptoms including cough and headache. 

Manjunath said, "He (Deve Gowda) has no fever and his other vital parameters are normal. His wife Chennamma Deve Gowda has tested negative now. But we will have to repeat the test after three days." The Hindu quoted the sources saying he has been hospitalized, though he was doing well. A party leader said, " We didn't want to take any chance at home that would also see a flow of visitors. Keeping visitors away is difficult." 

Despite keeping a low profile and staying off from active politics, Deve Gowda had been visiting the party's office and it has been reported that he could have contracted the pandemic through his regular visit. The party's spokesperson Sharavana said, "He is doing well and our prayers are for his speedy recovery." Earlier this week, Deve Gowda had attended the Jaladhare function and the core committee meeting in the party office. 

The doctors have advised the former prime minister to be in hospital for three days to prevent any further infection. Several leaders including Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai have wished for a speedy recovery to Deve Gowda. He was India's eleventh Prime Minister and had a brief tenure in the office as he served only for 324 days from 1st June 1996 to 21st April 1997. He had also served as the 14th Chief Minister of Karnataka from 1994 to 1996 and he is presently serving as a Rajya Sabha MP.