Former AIADMK leader and Jayalalithaa's close aide VK Sasikala tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday and is currently being monitored at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru.

Sasikala was diagnosed with the novel coronavirus infection on Thursday in her third test after two earlier tests - a rapid antigen test and an RT-PCR test - had returned negative on Wednesday. After serving a four-year term at the Bengaluru Central Prison in a disproportionate assets case, the former AIADMK general secretary was scheduled to be released on January 27. Initially admitted to the Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital on Wednesday, Sasikala was later shifted to the Victoria Hospital on Thursday after she complained of breathlessness and a fever. Speaking about Sasikala's current condition, Medical superintendent Dr Ramesh Krishna K reportedly stated, "She is in a stable condition and not on a ventilator. She is suffering from severe lung infection and her CT severity score is about 16/25. She is on oxygen support; 10 litres of oxygen have been given though her saturation level is 98%. As she is diabetic, we are monitoring her."

According to reports, Sasikala has been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypothyroidism and urinary tract infection. Her nephew TTV Dhinakaran confirmed that her health condition was stable. "I have reliable information that VK Sasikala's health is stable and the doctors are looking after her. She is being monitored properly. She needs oxygen due to some secondary infections. Doctors are still deciding on whether CT scans are required or not," TTV Dhinakaran informed a news agency.