Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has on Friday tested positive for the COVID-19 viral infection for the second time in eight months. The development has come when the state has been witnessing the heavy COVID-19 caseloads as the sequel of the second wave. Yediyurappa has become the first Chief Minister in India to test positive for the novel coronavirus twice. 

After confirmed to have contracted the viral infection, Yediyurappa has been admitted to the Manipal Hospital in Bangalore for further treatments. The Chief Minister had said that he is doing fine and was admitted to the hospital based on the advice of doctors. Taking to Twitter, Yediyurappa said, "Upon having mild fever, today I got tested for COVID-19 and my report has come out positive. Although I am doing fine, I am being hospitalized based on the advice of doctors."

The Chief Minister had requested all those who had come in contact with him recently to get tested and observe self-quarantine. In a statement, Karnataka's Chief Minister Office said, "As the Chief Minister was suffering from fever, he had gone to Ramaiah Hospital for a general checkup, where COVID-19 test was conducted and as the report has come positive, he will be shifted to the Manipal Hospital."

On Thursday, Yediyurappa had developed a high fever and discomforts and he canceled his campaign rally for the bypolls in Belagavi post which he prepared to take the COVID-19 test and earlier on Friday, he had chaired an emergency meeting with Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar and top officials for about one-and-half hours regarding COVID situation in the state and he also had addressed the media. 

After testing positive, he is now hospitalized in Bangalore. According to reports, it is the second time that Yediyurappa has tested positive for the viral infection. The 78-year-old, who is one of the oldest Chief Ministers in India, was earlier hospitalized on August 2, 2020, after he tested positive for the COVID-19 pandemic. He got admitted to the Manipal Hospital and hospitalized for nine days after which he was discharged. It is the same hospital that Yediyurappa has got admitted to again on Friday. 

Karnataka is one of the states reporting a heavy caseload in India as the sequel of the second wave. According to the state's health department, Karnataka has reported 11,09,650 COVID-19 cases so far as of Thursday of which 96,561 are active, 9,99,958 have been discharged, and 13,112 people had succumbed to the viral infection. On Thursday alone, the state has reported 14,738 fresh cases, 3,591 discharges, and 66 deaths. 

Upon having mild fever, today I got tested for Covid-19 and my report has come out positive. Although I am doing fine, I am being hospitalised based on the advise of doctors. I request all those who have come in my contact recently to be observant and exercise self-quarantine.

— B.S. Yediyurappa (@BSYBJP) April 16, 2021