Nine security personnel deployed for former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad’s security have tested COVID-19 positive, news agency ANI reported.

Lalu Prasad, who is currently serving jail sentences in several cases linked to the multi-crore fodder scam, is admitted at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi where he is undergoing treatment for multiple ailments.

Dr Umesh Prasad, the physician who is treating Lalu, told said that the infected security personnel have been removed from duty. RIMS has requested concerned authorities to arrange for replacement, he said.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief was shifted from the hospital ward to RIMS director’s house earlier this month over coronavirus fears. The shifting was done on jail authorities’ directions after a few medical staff of the hospital tested COVID-19 positive.

Lalu had tested negative for coronavirus infection in July.

The 72-year-old was convicted by a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in 2017 after which he was taken to Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Jail. However, Lalu was shifted to RIMS after he developed health complications.