Coronavirus: Dharmendra Pradhan becomes second Union Minister to test positive

Pradhan wrote on Twitter on Tuesday, "After noticing symptoms of COVID-19, I got myself tested and the report was positive."

"On doctor's advice, I have been hospitalized. I am healthy," the Minister added.

Both Pradhan and Shah have been admitted to the Gurugram's Medanta Hospital.

Reportedly, the Minister had been in isolation after officials from his staff had tested positive.

In the past few days, several prominent politicians have tested positive for COVID-19.

The Home Minister had tested positive on Sunday after displaying symptoms of the viral infection. The same day, Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Swatantra Dev Singh had tested positive.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has also contracted the infection.

As of Tuesday morning, the Health Ministry reported a total of 18,55,745 COVID-19 cases, including 38,938 deaths, 5,86,298 active cases, and 12,30,509 recoveries.

Over the past week, the number of daily new cases has remained above 50,000 after witnessing the outbreak's worst phase yet through July.

India remains the world's third worst-hit country in the outbreak after the United States and Brazil.

During a press briefing on Tuesday, Health Ministry Secretary Rajesh Bhushan pointed out that 50% of all deaths due to the viral disease are among the age group of 60 years and above.

37% of the deaths fell in the age group 45-60 years, Bhushan added.

Further, he said that India's death rate dropped to 2.10%, the lowest since the first lockdown in March.