Veteran singer SP Balasubrahmanyam’s son SP Charan on Monday said that his father was still on life support and urged people to not believe rumours about his health. Earlier in the day, Charan’s public relations team had claimed in a tweet that the singer had tested negative for the coronavirus.

“I usually post Appa’s [father’s] health updates after I have a discussion with the medical team from the hospital,” Charan said in a video message on Facebook. “But unfortunately, I am forced to put up a post in the morning. I am the only one who gets the information about dad.” Charan added that if was unfortunate that rumours were being spread about his father’s health.

“Regardless of whether he is negative or positive [for the coronavirus], the status is still the same clinically,” Charan added. “He is still on life support. He is stable, fortunately. So please refrain from rumor-mongering. I will put up a post in the evening after I have a discussion with the doctors.”

Balasubrahmanyam was admitted to MGM Healthcare in Chennai on August 5 after he tested positive for Covid-19. He had shared the news of contracting the infection in a video message on Facebook. He said he got himself tested after experiencing chest congestion along with cold and fever. His condition deteriorated by August 14 and he was put on life support.

From actor Rajinikanth to Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief MK Stalin, several leaders and personalities had wished Balasubrahmanyam a speedy recovery.

Balasubrahmanyam, who has worked across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi and Malayalam film industries, has won six National Film Awards for his work in the music industry. He has also been honoured with the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. Since his singing debut in 1966 with the Telugu film Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna, Balasubrahmanyam has recorded over 40,000 songs in 16 Indian languages