In a major embarrassment for the Punjab health authorities, the Covid-19 test report of state’s Jails and Cooperation Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Sunday tested “negative” for the virus at PGIMER and also at a private lab, a day after he was reported “positive” for the contagion by the state Health Department.
Notably, COVID-negative report has been made mandatory for all the legislators and the officials concerned to attend the Punjab Vidhan Sabha budget session, starting from Monday.
For the purpose, the state Health Department is conducting the tests. Randhawa’s samples were also collected by the state Health Department from the MLA Hostel on February 25.
Before the test report came, the Minister again got himself tested at a private lab here on February 27.
While the Health Department test came back positive, the private lab found him negative for Coronavirus on Saturday, Randhawa said.
Later in the evening, he went to the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) for a third test, which also came back negative.
“I am surprised by the report of the test conducted by the health authorities as my other two tests came back negative,” said the Minister adding that he has shared his reports with the state Health Minister and other senior officials.
Randhawa said that despite the first test coming back positive, the health authorities have so far not approached him regarding following COVID-19 related protocols.
Asked if he will attend the assembly session, he said he would if he is allowed to.
In August last year, Randhawa was among the first state ministers to contract the Coronavirus.
Meanwhile, another Cabinet Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, who tested positive two days back, continued to do his official work.
On his Facebook page, he shared, “After my corona report came positive, I have quarantined myself and am following all health rules and protocols. Despite all this, I am performing my duty and doing government work and clearing necessary files.
It has been ensured that these files go ahead after being fully sanitized. Heartfelt thanks for your wishes and blessings. I hope we all together will win the ongoing war against Corona soon.”
