Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal Who Said 'Bhabiji Papad Will Save You' Tests Positive For Coronavirus; Admitted To AIIMS

In the absence of a scientifically established treatment, Covid-19 has spread to more that 20 lakh people in the country with over 42,000 deaths.

(File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, who had recently endorsed 'Bhabhi ji papad' claiming that the snack will help prevent the novel Coronavirus, himself tested positive for the deadly contagion on Saturday. As per reports, Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs he currently admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. ALSO READ | Uttar Pradesh Records Highest One-Day Jump In Covid Cases, Tally Crosses 1.8 Lakh Mark; CM To Review Pandemic With this, Meghwal becomes the fourth Union minister to have tested positive for coronavirus. Earlier in the day, Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Chaudhary also tested positive for Covid-19 and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Jodhpur. Apart from these two, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan have also tested positive for Covid-19. While Shah is being treated  at Medanta Hospital in Haryana's Gurugram, Pradhan has been admitted to Medanta Hospital of the city. Last month, Meghwal made headlines with his bizarre claim that eating papad will create antibodies in the human body that will help fight the deadly coronavirus that has afflicted more than 20 lakh Indians so far. A pack of the brand called ‘Bhabhiji papad' was held up by Meghwal while recording a video vouching for its corona fighting ability. "This Bhabhiji Papad has come out in the market in line with Atma Nirbhar Bharat, which has edible elements that can help create antibodies which will prove to be helpful in fighting coronavirus," the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader had tweeted. Meghwal also wished the company "success". Meanwhile, there were no scientific evidence presented by the minister as to how ingredients of the papad can help create Covid-fighting antibodies in the human body. The World Health Organization, earlier had said, "While no foods or dietary supplements can prevent or cure COVID-19 infection, healthy diets are important for supporting immune systems. Good nutrition can also reduce the likelihood of developing other health problems, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes and some types of cancer." In the absence of a scientifically established treatment, Covid-19 has spread to more that 20 lakh people in the country with over 42,000 deaths. A total of 61,537 new coronavirus cases were reported in the last 24 hours in India, which took the overall caseload to 20,88,611, while the death toll increased to 42,518 with 933 fresh fatalities, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Saturday.