New Delhi: Hindi film singer Kanika Kapoor Friday became the first celebrity to test positive for COVID-19 in India. Kapoor and three other persons tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Lucknow, taking the total number of cases in Uttar Pradesh to 19.
Kapoor had returned to Lucknow from London on 15 March and shortly after noted she had signs of the flu. In an Instagram post, she said, “For the past 4 days I have had signs of flu, I got myself tested and it came positive for Covid-19. My family and I are in complete quarantine now and following medical advice on how to move forward… I was scanned at the airport as per normal procedure 10 days ago when I came back home, the symptoms have developed only 4 days ago.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B98tXqnFqE2/
Kapoor also urged people to “practice self isolation and get tested if you have the signs”.
Potential coronavirus cluster
During her stay in Lucknow, Kapoor attended parties and even hosted one. Her father Rajiv Kapoor told Aaj Tak: “Six of us in our family are undergoing test today at 4pm. Kanika has attended three parties after her arrival. She came in contact with around 350-400 families in three parties. Along with Kanika, we are also in isolation.”
The celebrity singer also hosted a party for 100-200 people, which saw many officials and politicians in attendance. Also in attendance were BJP’s Lok Sabha MP Dushyant Singh, who went to Parliament Thursday, and former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje, Singh’s mother.
After Kapoor tested positive, Singh and Raje have put themselves in self-quarantine.
कुछ दिन पहले दुष्यंत और उनके ससुराल वालों के साथ मैं लखनऊ में एक डिनर पर गयी थी। कनिका कपूर, जो कि #Covid19 संक्रमित पाई गई हैं, वें भी उस डिनर में बतौर अतिथि मौजूद थीं।
सावधानी के तौर पर मैं और दुष्यंत सेल्फ़-आइसोलेशन में हैं और हम सभी आवश्यक निर्देशों का पालन कर रहे हैं।
— Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) March 20, 2020
Kapoor has been admitted to King George’s Medical University (KGMU) hospital in Lucknow. Officers of UP’s state health department notified residents of the apartment building she stayed at in the city. They also conducted tests on those who reportedly came in contact with the singer.
‘Baby Doll’ fame
Kapoor, who is from Lucknow, began her career as a playback singer in 2014. She shot to fame with the song ‘Baby Doll’ from the movie Ragini MMS 2 which became widely popular. In 2015, she even won the Filmfare Award for Best Playback Singer (Female).
After ‘Baby Doll’, Kapoor went on to sing many more popular songs such as ‘Chittiyan Kalaiyan’ from the movie Roy and ‘Lovely’ from Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Happy New Year. In 2016, she was nominated for Best Female Playback Singer for ‘Lovely’ at the Global Indian Music Academy Awards in 2016.
Also read: Delhi govt orders closure of malls, exempts grocery, pharmacy stores in view of COVID-19
I agree…. perhaps Airport Authorities are to blame too (they cpuld not detain her)….
It is getting abundantly clear ALL FLIGHTS SHOULD BE CANCELLED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT (LIKE ON 9/11 …. I WAS THERE IN CANADA…. ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE BORDER) …. DOES SECTION 144 NOT APPLY TO FLIGHTS TOO….
Those who “spread” Coronavirus knowingly…. sholud be arrested and tried for 1st/2nd hand Murder
…. those who hide it (not sure) should pay for the tests necessary the Govt. had to do …..
In this KK case…. she should pay for the Tests on the 3-500 people she came in contact directly…. and also the thousands they came in contact with… too.
THERE HAS TO RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY… DON’T YOU THINK….
Look at Delhi and Shaheen Bagh… the “(Bogus) Agitation” continues… NOIDA and Haryana have Section 144…. why is Kejriwal so quiet… I think this bogus Agitation is more important to him ….. than the health of 15 Million residents of Delhi and another 5 Million in Gurgapn ….. Ghaziabad and NOIDA….
DILLI SHOULD BE DEMANDING SECTION 144 ALL OVER THE CITY/STATE…. BEFORE IT IS… TOO LATE…. like the above “KK Disaster”.
… in these matters…. ALWAYS BE SAFE THAN SORRY …. COBSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS CAN “TAKE A SMALL BREAK”… DON’T YOU THINK….???
Highly irresponsible behaviour by the singer. More condemnable is the party culture prevailing in the elite societies of Lucknow and U.P. The entire world is going through the horrendous corona pandemic and Uttar Pradesh politicians are oblivious to this threat and brazenly indulges in partying , singing and dancing ! Shame!
This episode shows what is wrong with the prevention measures. When 1 or 2 cases were detected in the country either flights from outside should have been restricted or every one coming from affected countries should have been put to strict quarantine. Tests could have been done later.