INDIA’S Home Minister Amit Shah, 55, a close aide of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has tested positive for coronavirus as the number of cases in the South Asian nation climbed above 1.7 million.

Shah said in a tweet his health was fine but was getting hospitalized on the advice of his doctors. He urged people who have come in contact with him in the past few days to isolate themselves and get tested.

India has the most confirmed cases after the U.S. and Brazil — and one of the world’s fastest growing epidemics, adding more than 50,000 cases each day.

Shah was present at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Modi last Wednesday, the Hindustan Times reported, although strict social distancing measures were observed.

“The news about Shah is a wake up call for a government often reluctant to acknowledge the extent of the pandemic’s spread in India,” Michael Kugelman, deputy director and senior associate for South Asia at the Washington-based Wilson Center said. “The takeaway is crystal clear, and very sobering: No one, not even in the uppermost echelons of power, is immune from this virus.”

Also, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s chief of staff, Army General Walter Souza Braga Netto, has tested positive for the virus, his office said Monday, becoming the seventh Brazilian minister to have contracted the disease.

Braga Netto is doing well and has no symptoms, the office said in a statement. He will remain in isolation until a new examination and medical evaluation is carried out, and will continue to work remotely.

Last week, Bolsonaro’s wife and one of his ministers tested positive for COVID-19. Bolsonaro also contracted the disease but his latest test showed he was no longer infected.

(SD-Agencies)