In a shocking development, Maharashtra Housing Minister Jitendra Awhad has tested COVID-19 positive, official sources said here early on Friday. Awhad, along with a dozen of his family members had been in home quarantine since past 10 days. The decision was taken as a precaution after one of his security personnel had tested positive. The matter was first highlighted by IANS on April 13.

Earlier, the minister had tested negative, but a subsequent report on Thursday had come positive, alarming the state health authorities. The senior Nationalist Congress Party was admitted to a hospital on Wednesday for further tests. It's suspected that the Minister may have unknowingly passed on the infection to several persons who are now under treatment.