91-year-old Milkha in home isolation, doing fine, says wife

Milkha Singh was following a strict routine during the lockdown to keep himself fit. File photo

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 20

One of the fittest persons in his age group, Flying Sikh Milkha Singh tested positive for Covid-19 today.

The 91-year-old living legend is currently in home isolation at his Sector 8 residence and is responding well to the treatment. At the time of the filing of this report, he was not having any fever and was maintaining an oxygen saturation level of 95-97.

Last night, he had high fever and was straightway put in home isolation.

“He is responding well to the treatment. Doctors have asked us to focus on giving him more liquid diet. He is talking clearly and responding to all of us. He had a fever 101, but now has a normal body temperature,” said Nirmal Milkha Singh, his wife.

Responding well to treatment

He is responding well to the treatment. Doctors have asked us to focus on giving him more liquid diet. He is talking clearly and responding to all of us. He had a fever of 101, but now has a normal body temperature. —Nirmal Milkha Singh, wife

“I was very tense since I had never thought of anything like this happening to him. He follows a strict routine and is actively spreading awareness among the public. I pray to God for his speedy recovery,” she said. A team of PGI doctors is treating Milkha, while his daughter Mona Milkha Singh, who is a doctor at Metropolitan Hospital Center in New York and has been treating patients of Covid-19, is also monitoring his health.

His son, golfer Jeev Milkha Singh, a four-time European Tour champion, is currently out of India and will return from Dubai later this week.

“One of our house helps had fever and later he tested positive for Covid. On Wednesday, we all (12 people) underwent testing and thereafter got to know about him. All others, including my daughter-in-law and grandson, have tested negative, but we are following Covid-19 SOPs,” said Nirmal Milkha Singh.

A regular at the Chandigarh Golf Club, the former Commonwealth Games champion and 1960 Rome Olympian had been following a strict routine during the lockdown to keep himself fit. Earlier today, he was invited to attend the opening of a mini-Covid care centre at the Sector 43 Sports Complex, which was inaugurated by UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore.