In an unfortunate turn of events, a servitor of the Puri Jagannath Temple has tested positive for the coronavirus, reported Puri District Collector Balwant Singh. This news comes amidst the ongoing Rath Yatra in Puri following the Supreme Court acceptance of the request from Centre and Odisha Governments.

Before the Rath Yatra, Covid 19 tests of 1,143 servitors were undertaken as directed by the Supreme Court and except one all were found negative. The confirmed case has been shifted to Covid Hospital before Rath Yatra rituals began and contact tracing is underway.

It has been said that servitors will be allowed to participate in the festival and pull the chariot only if they test negative for Coronavirus. For the first time, the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath started in absence of devotees after the Supreme Court's permission to organise it in a limited way without public attendance.