Parishioners and locals prevented burial of a Christian priest, died due to coronavirus, in a Church’s cemetery at Malamukal in Vattiyoorkavu, Thiruvananthapuram district. A large crowd of locals prevented health authorities who turned up on June 3 evening to make preparations for the burial in accordance with the protocol set by the Health Ministry. Father KG Varghese, 77, died on June 3 morning was admitted in a hospital following breathing problems. Several local people had visited him at the hospital.
The locals said they won’t allow the burial to take place in the church as it will lead to Covid spreading in the area. In the wake of rising corona cases in the state, there is a fear among the public. Villagers claimed they have got a stay from the Kerala High Court but did not show it to the health authorities. Meanwhile, efforts of the health officials to convince the locals failed, leaving the plans in limbo.
Presently, the body has been kept in the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College mortuary. To ease the tension, the Mayor spoke to the locals but they did not heed his advice.
The state reported 82 new cases, including that of five healthcare workers who tested positive for the infection on June 3. The state also witnessed 24 more recoveries between June 2 and 3, revealed the Health Department.
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