Milkha Singh hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19
What's the story
Legendary Indian sprinter Milkha Singh, who had tested positive for COVID-19, was on Monday admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Fortis hospital in Mohali with doctors saying that his condition is stable. He was diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia.
The 91-year-old had been in home isolation at his Chandigarh residence after he tested positive for the virus on Wednesday.
Reason
We had him admitted as a precautionary measure: Jeev
Earlier Singh's son Jeev Milkha Singh said that hospitalizing him was a precautionary measure.
"He was not eating, so we had to hospitalize him. Though his parameters seemed alright, it was safer to have him under the supervision of senior doctors. He is a strong man. He will recover soon," Jeev said, who reached Chandigarh on Saturday from Dubai after his father tested positive.
Tests
Only the sprinter tested positive in the family
Milkha had earlier said that a couple of house helps had been infected by the virus after which his family underwent tests.
"Only I returned positive on Wednesday and I am surprised," Milkha had said after testing positive.
None of the other family members, including Milkha's wife Nirmal Kaur, a former India volleyball captain, returned a positive test.
Wishes
Punjab CM wished Singh a quick recovery
"Wishing a speedy recovery to Flying Sikh Milkha Singh Ji who has been admitted in a hospital in Mohali for #Covid19 treatment. Get well soon Sir!" Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh tweeted.
Earlier, Nirmal Kaur had said that PGIMER in Chandigarh had sent an attendant along with oxygen facilities to look after him at his home.
Career
Singh's career is celebrated even today
Singh is a four-time Asian Games gold-medalist and 1958 Commonwealth Games champion. His greatest performance was the fourth-place finish in the 400m final at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
His timing at Rome remained the national record for 38 years till Paramjeet Singh broke it in 1998. He also represented India in the 1956 and 1964 Olympics and was bestowed the Padma Shri in 1959.