Covid-19
Representational image.

Assam BJP MLA Mihir Kanti Shome tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, taking the total number of legislator infected by the virus to eight.

Shome, who represents Udharbond constituency, has been admitted to Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH).

The Health officials have tested the family members of the Udharbond MLA and already started contact tracing of him, said officials.

Former Chairman of Silchar Municipal Board Niharendra Narayan Tagore has also tested positive for the virus in rapid antigen test and was admitted at SMCH, said a health official.

On August 2, former Assam minister and Congress legislator Rakibul Hussain became the seventh legislator in the state to test positive for virus.

Earlier, on July 28, Assam Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Aminul Haque Laskar had tested positive and he was also treated with plasma therapy at SMCH.

The first BJP MLA to be found infected was Patharkandi’s Krishnendu Paul, followed by Naryan Deka of Barkhetry constituency, both of whom have recovered and discharged from the hospitals.

Later, the saffron party’s Sadiya MLA Bolin Chetia too tested positive for novel coronavirus and was admitted to Tinsukia Civil Hospital.

BJP’s Sonari MLA Nabanita Handique and Atul Bora of the same party among others have been detected as confirmed patients.

All India Mahila Congress President and former Lok Sabha MP Sushmita Dev was also detected with the infection.

She later tested negative and was released from SMCH.