Mother, daughter to self quarantine, Jaya tests negative; Kher’s brother, mother +ve

A day after Amitabh Bachchan and his actor-son Abhishek Bachchan tested positive for Covid-19, Bollywood on Sunday suffered another jolt, as his daughter-in-law and actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and granddaughter Aaradhya, senior actor Anupam Kher’s mother Dulari, his brother, bhabhi and niece tested positive for coronavirus.

In a related development, the Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) sanitised four bungalows of the Bachchans — Jalsa,  Pratiksha, Janak and Vatsa — earlier in the day on Sunday. The four bungalows, located at Juhu in north-west Mumbai, which fall under K/West ward have been sealed and declared as “containment zones”.

Abhishek, who had shortly before Saturday midnight confirmed about Sr Bachchan and he having tested positive for Covid-19, tweeted on Sunday evening, “Aishwarya and Aaradhya have also tested Covid-19 positive. They will be self quarantining at home. The BMC has been updated of their situation and are doing the needful. The rest of the family including my mother have tested negative. Thank you all for your wishes and prayers.”

Sr Bachchan and Abhishek are currently at Nanavati Super Specialty Hospital at Vile Parle in north-west Mumbai.

“My father and I remain in hospital till the doctors decide otherwise. Everyone please remain cautious and safe. Please follow all rules!,” said Abhishek in another tweet.

Sr Bachchan’s Rajya Sabha member-wife Jaya tested negative for the pandemic.

Confirming that his mother and other family members had tested positive for Covid-19, senior actor Anupam Kher had tweeted, This is to inform all that my mother Dulari is found Covid + (mildly). We have admitted her into Kokilaben Hospital. My brother, bhabhi & niece in spite of being careful have also tested mildly positive. I got myself tested as well & I have tested negative. @mybmc is informed.!”

Talking to mediapersons, Maharashra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said Rapid Antigen test of Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan had been done. “Both tested positive and are having an old cough and fever. Bachchan ji has specifically said in his tweet that all people who came in contact with him in past 5-7 days should get tested and quarantine themselves...,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Health Minister Tope had through a tweet confirmed that Aishwarya and Aaradhya had tested positive. He, however, deleted his tweets in English and Marathi, following criticism for naming the actress and her daughter. However, by that time, the screenshots have gone viral on social media.

As many as 30 staff members, who work at Bachchans’ four bungalows, have been examined and put in isolation. “The contact-tracing is underway,” BMC’s assistant municipal commissioner Vishwas Mote said.

The Maharashtra Government is taking regular updates on the health of the Bachchan family from Nanavati Hospital and BMC.

Meanwhile, thousands of Bachchan fans took to twitter and other social media platforms to wish speedy recovery to the superstar.

“Amit, get well soon. I am sure of my courageous younger brother......he will soon   be fit and fine in a day or two ...Jaya, don’t worry...everything will be fine my brave baby....Look after yourself and everyone at home.....Love you all......take care,” senior actor-friend Dharmendra tweeted.

“Praying for your speedy recovery Sir. Love and prayers,” actor Akshay Kumar tweeted.