Chief Minister of India's central state Madhya Pradesh tests COVID positive

Chief Minister of India's central state Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan tested positive for novel Coronavirus on Saturday, he confirmed through a tweet a short while ago.

He is the first among all the chief ministers in the country who has been found infected with COVIID-19.

Addressing his state's citizens, Chouhan said that he was having COVID-19 symptoms for some time, and tested positive today.

"I appeal to all those who came in my contact over the past few days, should go for COVID-19 tests. All those who were in immediate contact with me should go for quarantine," he added.

He added, "I am following all COVID-19 guidelines. As per doctors' advice I will quarantine myself. I appeal to all to take care of themselves, as even a small carelessness can invite COVID-19. I tried to keep myself away from the virus, but then had to meet people to discuss various issues."

Madhya Pradesh is among the biggest Indian states in terms of land area.

As per the latest COVID-19 data issued by the federal health ministry on Saturday, the state has recorded 791 COVID-19 deaths so far, and the total cases reached 26,210.

Across India, the death toll rose to 31,358 and total cases reached 13,36,861. As per the figures of the Indian Council of Medical Research, the total number of samples tested up to July 24 is 15,849,068, including 4,20,898 samples tested on Friday.