COVID-19: Over 100 Including Priests Infected In Tirumala Temple 

At least 15 priests and 90 staff at Tirumala Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh have been infected by COVID-19. The temple, which allows thousands of devotees to visit every day, has become new Coronavirus hotspot.

The temple was opened on 11 June after being closed for 80 days due to Coronavirus pandemic, after which demand is being made for the temple closure.

Anil Kumar Singhal, executive officer of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, held a meeting with temple priests, health workers and officials to avoid infection.

Andhra Pradesh: 14 priests of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams have tested positive for #COVID19. Anil Kumar Singhal, Executive officer of TTD today held a meeting with temple priests, health and vigilance officials. pic.twitter.com/vwSXPpdeUI

— ANI (@ANI) July 16, 2020

The number of devotees visiting the temple every day was limited to 6,000, which was later increased to 12,000. According to the temple administration, nearly two and a half lakh devotees have visited the Tirupati temple from 11 June to 10 July.

COVID-19 testing of 3,569 employees and priests was conducted in the temple after the outbreak, of which 105 people have been infected. At the same time, the Chittoor district administration has now started conducting tests of those devotees who had recently visited the temple. Nearly 100 to 150 devotees and 100 to 200 temple staff are being tests every day.

Statistics show that 1,000 coronavirus patients have been detected so far in the religious city of Tirupati and the infection is increasing rapidly. At the same time, Trade Union CITU and Workers United Front have written to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam administration, demanding that the Darshan in the temple be stopped for the time being.

The famous Srisailam temple in Kurnool district is also closed after 32 cases were found inside the temple.