Coronavirus update: Parno Mittra tests positive for COVID-19, won't cast her vote

Actress Parno Mittra, a candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the West Bengal assembly election currently underway, has tested positive for COVID-19.

Mittra took to Twitter to share the news. She said she is ill but recovering well.

The actress, who is the BJP candidate for the Baranagar constituency in North 24 Parganas district, also said she would not be able to vote in the election.

“I will not be able to cast my vote and see my journey through to its fruition in the immediate future," Mittra said. "But the journey is far from ended and we will continue to persevere for our vision together.”

She requested everyone who had come in contact with her in the last seven days to get tested and quarantine themselves if need be.

The election in West Bengal is being held in an unprecedented eight phases. Voting for Baranagar took place on 17 April. The eighth and final phase of voting is to take place on Thursday. The results will be announced on Sunday 2 May.

Singer and Union minister Babul Supriyo, who is also contesting the assembly election as the BJP candidate in Tollygunge, Kolkata, has also tested positive for COVID-19 along with his wife and are currently in home isolation. This is the second time Supriyo has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.