Thalassery: Archbishop George Njaralakatt of Tellicherry and his Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Pamplany were on October 3 admitted to a private hospital after they were tested positive for Covid-19.

Two priest residents of the Archbishop’s House were also tested positive. Father Thomas Thengumpallil, the public relation officer of the southern Indian archdiocese, told Matters India.

The two prelates and Fathers Anthony Parathepathickal and Jins Kannakulathel have been admitted to Josegiri Hospital in Thalassery (formerly Tellicherry).

The two priests were on self-quarantine for the past one week, the PRO said.

“When (all four) were suspected of infection, they gave their swabs for test and it turned out be positive,” Father Thengumpallil explained.

“As soon as the report came, they were shifted to the Josegiri Hospital run by the Adoration sisters. The condition of all four is stable,” he added

Meanwhile the archdiocese has appealed priests and others who have visited the archbishop and the auxiliary bishop in the past few days to go for quarantine.

Kerala has witnessed a sudden surge in the number of Covid-19 positive cases in the past one week.

The state government in a bid to contain the pandemic has imposed prohibitory orders banning gathering of more than five persons at any public places.

As on October 3, Kerala recorded 221,334 positive cases and 814 deaths. This is the ninth highest in India.

The prohibitory order, according to the government, will be in place until the end of October.