The 81-year-old undertrial was moved to hospital from jail on Monday after urgent appeals by civil society members.
Telugu poet and activist Varavara Rao, who has been imprisoned in Mumbai’s Taloja jail in connection with the Elgar Parishad case, tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday, his lawyer Sudeep Pasbola told Scroll.in.
On Monday, Rao was moved to Mumbai’s JJ Hospital. Thousands of people had urged the authorities to ensure he got medical care, amid reports of his deteriorating health, especially given the coronavirus crisis.
A routine swab check was done on July 14, after he was admitted to JJ Hospital, people familiar with the situation said.
Vernon Gonsalves, another activist jailed in connection with the case, was also at risk of having contracted the infection as he was made to look after Rao in prison following protests from civil society members, said Gonsalves’ wife, Susan Abraham.
