Tirupati, Aug 7 (IANS): A 45-year old priest of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanamas (TTD), that manages the Lord Venkateswara temple atop Tirumala Hills, died of Covid-19.

Srinivasacharyulu, who was recently posted for the duties in the temple at Tirumala, tested positive of Covid-19 earlier this week and was undergoing treatment at the Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences.

On Thursday, he experienced breathing difficulty and passed away.

He had been working on deputation at the shrine where he was shifted from another temple in the vicinity. Earlier, a former priest of the temple had died of Covid-19 on July 20.

The famous shrine was reopened for devotees on July 11 following a prolonged closure due to the Covid-19 lockdown. Till now nearly 170 TTD staff have tested positive for Covid-19. Several priests, including the Pedda Jeeyar or senior pontiff, have been afflicted by the pandemic and are undergoing treatment.