Vice President Venkaiah Naidu tests positive for coronavirus

New Delhi: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has tested positive for coronavirus during a routine test, his office said in a tweet on Tuesday evening. The 71-year-old, who is in home quarantine, is "asymptomatic and in good health", the tweet read.

"The Vice President of India who underwent a routine COVID-19 test on Tuesday morning has been tested positive. He is however, asymptomatic and in good health. He has been advised home quarantine. His wife Smt. Usha Naidu has been tested negative and is in self-isolation," the tweet from his office read.

Mr Naidu, who is also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, recently attended the monsoon session of parliament, which was cut short after more than 25 members tested positive for the virus.

Both houses of parliament were adjourned indefinitely on September 23, instead of continuing till the designated date of October 1.  

Today, for the first time in 28 days, the number of coronavirus deaths over a 24-hour period dropped below 1,000. Along with the 776 fatalities, a total of 96,318 people have lost their lives to the disease till now.

The report of a second sero-survey -- held between August 17 and September 22 -- has showed that 7.1 per cent of the country's adult population has been exposed to the virus. This is a big jump from the 0.73 per cent logged in the first survey, conducted in the same 700 villages and urban wards in May.

The report comes as the country gets ready for the next phase of lifting of coronavirus-related restrictions.

Over the next couple of days, the Centre is expected to announce guidelines for Unlock 5. The current phase is due to end on Wednesday.