Khandu tests negative for COVID-19

Staff REPORTER

ITANAGAR, Sep 18: Barely a day after testing positive for the novel Coronavirus, Chief Minister Pema Khandu has tested negative for the infection when he underwent a repeat COVID-19 RT-PCR test.

Khandu, who went to the national capital on September 12 on an official tour, had tested positive for COVID-19 on September 15.

Lodged himself at the Arunachal Bhavan, New Delhi, the Chief Minister, taking to his personal Twitter handle on Thursday afternoon announced that he has tested negative for the virus after undergoing a repeat test.

"I had undertaken a repeat Covid19 RT-PCR test yesterday. Because of the wishes and prayers of each one of you, I am glad to inform that I have tested NEGATIVE. Thank you all," an elated Khandu tweeted.

"I had undergone Covid test RT-PCR and have tested positive for Covid19. I am asymptomatic and feeling healthy. However as per SOP and safety of others, I am self-isolating myself and request everyone who came in contact with me to adhere to the SOP,” Khandu had said in a tweet on Tuesday.

Expressing delight on getting the news of his Arunachal counterpart Pema Khandu testing negative, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh tweeted, "Congratulations."

"A good news for everyone, especially the people of Arunachal Pradesh that our Chief Minister @PemaKhanduBJP ji has tested negative for COVID-19. Let's pray for him to remain healthy and continue to serve the people with full dedication," Union Sports Minister cum Arunachal West MP Kiren Rijiju said in a tweet.

The State has so far recorded 6851 COVID-19 positive cases, including 1871 active and 4967 discharged cases coupled with 13 casualties, as per latest data made available by the Directorate of Health Services on Thursday.