743 Staff in Tirupati Test Positive for COVID-19
743 staff members at the famous Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams in Andhra Pradesh have tested positive for COVID-19.
The famous Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams in Andhra Pradesh had been closed for 2 months due to the COVID outbreak. But they reopened in June. However, till 9 july, 9 staff members of the temple had tested positive for COVID. Even though the Andhra Pradesh government suggested closing the temple, TTD authorities kept the temple open. Many criticised the temple saying they were open only because they wanted to make money. TTD received Rs 16.69 crore in Hundi donations and Rs 3.97 crore through e-hundi. Initially TDD allowed 6,000 people per day to take darshan and then slowly increased the number saying they were taking all precautions. Since it reopened, 2.38 lakh people have visited the temple. On 9th Aug, an official said that 743 staff members have tested positive for COVID, 400 have recovered and 3 have died. Those infected also include priests that work at the temple. Despite all this, there is no news about the temple closing.
