An Indian holy man who offered “COVID exorcisms” by kissing people’s hands has died of the contagion — after first infecting at least 20 others, according to reports.
Aslam Baba told followers in Ratlam that his “kiss-cure” would make all their ailments disappear — even the deadly new coronavirus, according to The Print.
The Baba — a common term for a wise elder — tested positive for the bug on June 3 and died the following day, the report says.
Officials tested at least 40 people who had been in contact with him, The Times of India said.
“Twenty of them, including seven of his family, have tested positive,” the health department’s Ruchika Chouhan told the paper, stressing other tests were still awaiting results.
Officials found at least 29 other holy men offering similar so-called cures, forcing them all into quarantine, the paper said.