Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren in home quarantine after cabinet colleague, party MLA test positive for COVID-19

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday said he has quarantined himself at his residence after a cabinet minister whom he had met recently tested positive for COVID-19. 

Soren said in a tweet that he will be in self-isolation for the next few days from today. 

"My Cabinet colleague Mithilesh Thakur ji and our party MLA Mathura Mahato ji have been found corona positive. Both of them are currently under treatment at a government hospital. As a precaution, I will also be in self-isolation for the next few days from today."

The chief minister said he will continue to perform his duty from home and urged everyone to wear a mask while going outside. 

"I will continue to perform every important work. You are again urged to avoid going in crowded areas as much as possible. Make sure to use a mask, if there is no mask, then cover your face with a cloth," he said. 

"I would like to remind you to keep distance between yourself but keep the hearts connected," he further said.

According to an official statement, Soren has also urged staff members of the Chief Minister’s Office to go into home quarantine.

Soren's swab samples are likely to be collected today for COVID-19 testing.

Drinking and Sanitation Minister Mithilesh Thakur and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MLA Mathura Mahato, who had recently met the chief minister, have tested positive for COVID-19.

They have been admitted to the COVID-19 ward of Ranchi's Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS). 

Jharkhand has reported over 3,000 COVID-19 cases, of which, 892 are active. The death toll in the state stands at 22.