More than 30 RKM monks, staffers sent to hospital

Howrah: More than 30 monks and support staff from Ramakrishna Mission headquarters

Belur Math

in Howrah have been admitted to an isolation facility at Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan in south Kolkata after they tested positive for Covid-19.

All of them were transferred within hours of receiving test results to protect other monks and workers who stay on the sprawling premises in Belur.

All 600 residents at Belur Math were tested in batches last week after two senior monks contracted the virus and developed complications. Both have since recovered.

According to the SOP at Belur Math, all those who are testing positive are being dashed off to the isolation centre to undergo treatment for a fortnight. They will then be transported back to Belur Math but confined to a quarantine centre for another fortnight before being allowed to return to regular duties.

Sources said the virus may have crept into the campus via workers from Rajasthan who were restoring the sandstone main temple, or through devotees who had access to the mission before the doors were closed after the two senior monks contracted the virus.