Indian temple reports over 740 coronavirus infections as the country's COVID-19 cases surge

A well-known Hindu temple in India has seen more than 740 novel coronavirus cases among its staff in the past two months, a temple official said on Monday, as cases in the country surged past 2.2 million. 

According to local media, a total of 743 employees of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) have tested positive for the novel coronavirus so far, and three employees have died since June 11. As TTD Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal said, among all employees - which includes special protection force (SPF), vigilance department, sanitation workers, and outsourced staff as well as regular workers - 743 employees have contracted COVID-19 since the temple was opened for darshan as part of the government lockdowns easing up. Of those, 402 have recovered, he said. 

Currently, another 338 staff are undergoing treatment in TTD. Anil Kumar Singh said he interacted with pilgrims and devotees from many parts of the country since the Srivari temple opened for darshan to devotees on June 11.