Defence Secretary of India Ajay Kumar tests positive for COVID-19

Defence secretary Ajay Kumar has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Kumar got himself tested for Covid-19 after developing mild fever and was found to be infected, said one of the persons.“He tested positive on Tuesday. His condition is stable and he will stay at home till he tests negative,” said another person. Ajay Kumar is currently placed under home quarantine. Kumar is the first top government official to test positive for the disease.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh did not attend office on Wednesday but it was not immediately known why. The minister is discharging his duties as usual, the officials said. The first-floor section of the South Block in which the defence secretary has his office is being sanitized. All protocols are being followed. According to officials, a joint secretary in the law ministry and the driver of a joint secretary in the culture ministry have also tested positive for COVID-19.