Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has tested positive for the deadly H1N1 flu today.

After returning from Russia two days back, the 59-year-old Modi had been suffering from cough, cold and fever, officials said.

Dr. Atul Patel, one of the four physicians in the group looking after Modi, said that blood samples of the minister taken for investigation yesterday, confirmed the presence of the H1N1 virus.

Reports about Modi being infected with H1N1 virus had started coming up on Thursday evening. But, the government had denied confirming it.

Earlier, the administration tried to conceal Modi’s identity and the blood sample was labelled under a different name ‘Ramesh’.

All his meetings have been called off, and he will be kept in isolation for seven days at his home.

Over 450 people have lost their lives due to swine flu in the country since this summer.

The total number of H1N1 cases in the country has gone up to over 13,000 - they have been reported from 28 states, comprising Gujarat.

Thus far, 40 people have succumbed to the flu in Gujarat and many others have been infected, officials said.

The states with the maximum number of H1N1 fatalities are Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat.