Amitabh Bachchan and son Abhishek test positive for COVID-19, hospitalised
Mumbai: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek Bachchan on Saturday said they had tested positive for COVID-19 and been admitted to a city hospital.
The Bachchans, who are at Nanavati Hospital, shared their health update on Twitter.
Abhishek said both his father and he had had mild symptoms and requested everybody to be calm and not panic. While Amitabh is 77, Abhishek is 44 years old.
I have tested COVID positive. Shifted to Hospital. Hospital informing authorities, family and staff undergone tests, results awaited, Amitabh tweeted. "All that have been in close proximity to me in the last 10 days are requested to please get themselves tested, he added.
He has been moved to the isolation ward of the hospital, Nanavati Hospital sources told PTI.
Soon after his father posted his tweet, quelling speculation about his health, Abhishek also tweeted.
"Earlier today both my father and I tested positive for COVID 19. Both of us having mild symptoms have been admitted to hospital. We have informed all the required authorities and our family and staff are all being tested. I request all to stay calm and not panic. Thank you," Abhishek tweeted.
"The BMC has been in touch and we are complying with them," he added.
Within minutes of Amitabh's post, the get well soon wishes began pouring in, flooding Twitter and other social media platforms.
Fans and his colleagues from the film industry posted their best wishes for the star, one of India's most loved and best known actors. Get well soon sir, said veteran Malayalam actor Mammootty.
Take care, sir. Love you. Awaiting your tweet when you say you're fine & going back home, wrote filmmaker Kunal Kohli.
Actor Bipasha Basu said she was praying for his speedy recovery. South superstar Mahesh Babu and Dulquer Salmaan as well as actors Pankaj Tripathi, Nimrat Kaur, Rajkummar Rao and director Hansal Mehta were among those who sent him their wishes.
Get well soon Amit uncle. All my love and prayers, actor Sonam Kapoor replied on his tweet.
Amitabh has been active on social media through the lockdown, which began on March 25 to curtail the spread of COVID-19.
The actor, who was roped in by the government in March to help spread awareness about the pandemic, has been frequently posting on Twitter and Instagram as well as his blog, sharing advice on a range of issues.
He has also been sharing throwback pictures with family and friends, motivational quotes, anecdotes about his cinema journey and celebrating anniversaries of his various films.
He was last seen in Shoojit Sircar's Gulabo Sitabo, which released on streaming platform Amazon Prime Video last month.
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345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran return home via Armenia
New Delhi (PTI): A group of 345 Indian fishermen, who were stranded in Iran amid escalating regional tensions, returned to India via Armenia on Saturday, officials said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for assistance in return of the Indian nationals.
The Indian nationals arrived in Chennai this evening, the officials cited above said.
The circumstances that led to them being stranded in Iran were not immediately known.
"Thank FM @AraratMirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India," Jaishankar said on social media.
Over 1,500 Indian nationals have left Iran through land border crossings in Armenia and Azerbaijan since the start of the West Asia conflict over a month ago.
"A group of Indian fishermen, stranded in Iran, are returning home via Armenia today; their flight is expected to reach India this evening," a government statement said.
It said the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the West Asian region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community being accorded the highest priority.
It also made a mention of five Indians being injured in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
According to Abu Dhabi authorities, the Indian nationals were among the 12 people injured by debris from an intercepted missile.
"In an attack in Abu Dhabi, five Indian nationals were injured; four have been discharged, one remains under treatment," the Indian government's statement said.
It said the Indian mission in Abu Dhabi is extending "full" assistance and coordinating with local authorities, adding that their flight is expected to reach India this evening.
