Amitabh tests negative for COVID-19, Abhishek still positive

Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan has been discharged from Mumbai's Nanavati Hospital, where he was being treated for COVID-19, after a 23-day stay on Sunday.

The 77-year-old actor announced on July 11 that he had tested positive for the virus and was in hospital - his son, actor Abhishek Bachchan, announced soon after that he had tested positive as well and was also in the same hospital.

Sharing an update about Big B's health, Abhishek Bachchan tweeted: "My father, thankfully, has tested negative on his latest COVID-19 test and has been discharged from the hospital. He will now be at home and rest. Thank you all for all your prayers and wishes for him."

🙏🏽 my father, thankfully, has tested negative on his latest Covid-19 test and has been discharged from the hospital. He will now be at home and rest. Thank you all for all your prayers and wishes for him. 🙏🏽

— Abhishek 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧 (@juniorbachchan) August 2, 2020

In a separate tweet, Abhishek shared that he again tested positive for the virus and he will remain in the hospital: "I, unfortunately, due to some comorbidities remain COVID-19 positive and remain in hospital. Again, thank you all for your continued wishes and prayers for my family. Very humbled and indebted. I'll beat this and come back healthier! Promise."

I, Unfortunately due to some comorbidities remain Covid-19 positive and remain in hospital. Again, thank you all for your continued wishes and prayers for my family. Very humbled and indebted. 🙏🏽
I’ll beat this and come back healthier! Promise. 💪🏽

— Abhishek 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧 (@juniorbachchan) August 2, 2020

Abhishek's wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan also tested positive and was isolated at home, the actor revealed on July 12. Aishwarya was moved to hospital a week later and discharged on July 27. Amitabh Bachchan's wife Jaya Bachchan tested negative.

Big B took to the Facebook to announce his recovery and wrote: “This morning I have tested Covid negative and have been discharged from Hospital. I am back home. I will have to be in solitary quarantine in my room. The grace of the Almighty, the blessings of Ma Babuji, the prayers and duas of near and dear and friends and fans & EF .. and the excellent care and nursing at Nanavati has made it possible for me to see this day . With folded hands I express my gratitude.”

Nanavati Hospital authorities said the day after Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan were admitted that they had only mild symptoms and were in the isolation ward. Jalsa, the family residence in Mumbai, was sealed off by the Brihanmumbai Corporation or BMC, as were the other three bungalows owned by the Bachchans. 30 members of staff at the properties were being tested for COVID-19. Jalsa was unsealed on July 26.

Amitabh Bachchan, a prolific social media user, maintained his online activity while in hospital. He shared appreciation posts for medical staff and wrote blog posts on mental health.

Two weeks in, Big B logged into his Twitter account to deny that he had tested negative for the virus after news reports citing hospital sources. "This news is incorrect, irresponsible, fake and an incorrigible lie," he tweeted.