Amritsar: Former Hazoori Ragi of the Golden Temple and Padma Shree awardee, Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa died of cardiac arrest around 4:30 am on Thursday. With his demise, the death toll due to Covid-19 in Punjab has risen to 5.

According to the Amritsar Civil Surgeon, Nirmal Singh had tested posted for Coronavirus on Wednesday and was admitted to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital after he complained of breathlessness and dizziness on March 30.  He was put on ventilator after his condition worsened due to his bronchial asthma.

Singh had come back from abroad in February and later attended many religious events, including accompanying Zakir Hussain, the tabla player, to Golden Temple on February 29.  According to the officials, Singh held a large religious gathering in Delhi, performed in a kirtan in Chandigarh and some other places after he returned from abroad.

Further details regarding Nirmal Singh's travel history and events are being ascertained by the authorities. Meanwhile, the area around Singh’s residence has been sealed by the police to check the spread of the infection. His family members and others who came into his contact will be quarantined. Amritsar administration has written to Chandigarh to track all the attendees and make them undergo COVID-19 tests.

The number of Covid-19 cases in Punjab currently stand at 46. Positive Covid-19 cases in India have crossed the 2,000 mark with 50 deaths.