New Delhi: Former President Pranab Mukherjee, who went through a medical procedure to remove a clot from his brain more than two weeks ago, is being treated for lung contamination, the army hospital in Delhi informed on Wednesday.  The 84-year-old, who tested positive for coronavirus, keeps on being in deep coma and on ventilator support. 

Pranab Mukherjee has been admitted to the army’s Research and Referral hospital since August 10. He had tweeted before his surgery that he had tested positive for COVID-19. 

“On a visit to the hospital, I have tested positive for COVID-19 today. I request the individuals who interacted with me in the most recent week, to satisfy self-isolate and get tested for COVID-19,” he had posted. 

Mr Mukherjee’s daughter and son – Congress leaders Sharmistha Mukherjee and Abhijit Mukherjee – regularly tweet reports on their dad’s health. They have also rubbished “theory” and “fake news” about his health. 

Soon after the news on his hospitalization, wishes poured in from different quarters for his initial recovery and various leaders sent their wishes on Twitter. While President Ram Nath Kovind talked with Sharmistha Mukherjee and enquired about his well being, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh had visited the hospital. 

After Mr Mukherjee’s was hospitalized, special prayers were composed in his ancestral town in West Bengal’s Birbhum region, news office PTI reported. His sister and other members from the family allegedly prayed for him at their residence in Birbhum’s Kirnahar. 

Mr Mukherjee was the thirteenth President of India from 2012 to 2017. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna – India’s highest civilian award – last August.