August 12, 2020: Union Minister Shripad Naik has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. In a tweet posted on Wednesday evening Mr Naik said he was asymptomatic, that his vitals were "within normal limits" and that he had opted for home isolation.

"I underwent COVID-19 test today and it has turned out asymptomatically positive. My vitals are within normal limits and I have opted for home isolation. Those who have come in contact with me in the last few days are advised to get tested and take required precautions," he wrote.

Mr Naik, who heads the Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) Ministry, also asked all those who had come in contact with him over the past few days to get themselves tested as well.

Mr Naik is now the fifth Union Minister to test Covid positive. The President of the Uttar Pradesh unit of the BJP, Swatantra Dev Singh, has also tested positive.