Veteran singer SP Balasubrahmanyam, fondly called as SPB, tested positive for the novel coronavirus on August 5th and was admitted at the MGM Healthcare for further treatment. SPB released a video from the hospital and said that he had mild symptoms and that his fever had subsided and that he has a cold. On August 13th, MGM Healthcare released a statement saying the SP Balasubrahmanyam was stable and that his oxygen levels are normal. However, his health conditioned worsened later that night and was said he is in critical condition. SPB was shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and is on life support. He is currently being treated by a set of doctors and his haemodynamic and clinical parameters are being closely monitored.

The press statement on August 13th read, "There has been a setback in the health of Thiru S P Balasubrahmanyam who had been admitted at MGM Healthcare for symptoms of COVID since 5th August 2020. In a late-night development on 13th August 2020, his condition had deteriorated, and based on the advice of the expert medical team attending to him, he has been moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and he is on life support and his condition remains critical. He is currently under observation by the team of experts from critical care and his haemodynamic and clinical parameters are being closely monitored," 

Following the shocking news, fans and leading celebrities including Dhanush, AR Rahman, Ilayaraaja, Haris Jayaraj took to social media to wish the star singer a speedy recovery. SPB's son SP Charan also released a video statement said,  “The doctors are very confident that he will pull through,” Charan said in a video message. “It is a time-consuming process. We, though, expect a recovery, it is going to be a slow recovery. Your prayers are definitely helping.”

And now, SPB longtime friend and leading actor Kamal Haasan has also tweeted about SPB and has wished his for a comeback. Kamal Haasan tweeted, "Dear Brother, We are waiting for you. You have lived as my voice and I have lived as your face for a very long time. Your voice should be heard again. Come back soon brother."

SP Balasubrahmanyam has worked across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi and Malayalam film industries and has won six National Film Awards. 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.