Maha: Temple in Jalna shut as 55 people test COVID-19 positive

The district administrationin Maharashtra's Jalna has temporarily closed a temple after55 people living in and around it have tested coronaviruspositive, an official said on Sunday.

This temple in Jaidev Wadi named 'Jalicha Dev' is animportant centre for the followers of Mahanubhav Hindu sect.

''The temple is visited by devotees from differentparts of the district and the state, where they can stay.

Fifty-five people living in and around the temple have testedpositive for coronavirus, following which it was shut,'' theofficial said.

Barricades have been put up around the temple andpaths leading to it have been dug by the administration tostop the devotees from going there, he said.

Police personnel have been posted outside it.

A team of health workers has been deputed at thevillage for screening of villagers and members of the templecommittee.

''The administration has already cancelled the fairwhich is held every year at the temple,'' the official added.

In the last few days, Jalna district has witnessed aspike in coronavirus cases.

On Sunday, the district recorded 96 infection cases,which took its total count to 14,528, while 384 people havedied due to the infection so far.