Amitabh Bachchan is in a stable condition, a hospital official and government health authorities said on Sunday, when giving an update on the beloved actor's health, after he was hospitalised with Covid-19.
The Bollywood star, 77, tested positive for the coronavirus and was admitted to hospital in India on Saturday. His son, Abhishek Bachchan, 44, also tested positive and is "stable with mild symptoms", say authorities.
Both father and son confirmed that they tested positive for the highly infectious virus on Twitter. They have been admitted to the Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai.
T 3590 -I have tested CoviD positive .. shifted to Hospital .. hospital informing authorities .. family and staff undergone tests , results awaited ..
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) July 11, 2020
All that have been in close proximity to me in the last 10 days are requested to please get themselves tested !
Minutes after Amitabh, known as Big B among fans, tweeted that he had contracted the virus, Abhishek confirmed that he had also tested positive.
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 Bachchan (@juniorbachchan) July 11, 2020
The BMC has been in touch and we are complying with them. 🙏🏽
— Abhishek Bachchan (@juniorbachchan) July 11, 2020
Amitabh's wife, Jaya, has tested negative, however, Abhishek's wife, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, 46, and daughter, Aaradhya Bachchan, 8, have both tested positive. Jaya will be tested again, say authorities.
“A total of 16 people from the family have been tested, including guards and maids. Other reports will come tomorrow,” said Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's commissioner, Suresh Kakani. “As Aishwarya and Aaradhya are both asymptomatic, BMC will take a written declaration from them if they want to take treatment at home. Or else, they will also be shifted to hospital.”
Sanitisation is under way at Amitabh's Mumbai home. A sanitisation team have been photographed spraying disinfectant in the compound and on cars parked outside.
In June, India's film industry reopened sets and resumed shoots after a hiatus caused by a nationwide lockdown in late March.
However, there are strict rules in place and actors over the age of 65 are barred from being on set – a rule that affected Amitabh.
Filmmakers are barred from shooting wedding scenes or fight sequences that have long been Bollywood staples, with kissing and embracing scenes also off limits.
Coronavirus cases have been rising steadily in India. According to John Hopkins University, the virus has infected more than 849,000 people in the country and killed more than 22,000.
Additional reporting by Reuters
