CHENNAI: In a curious case, more than 80% of the Tablighi Jamaat associates of Tamil Nadu who were staying in Markaz (Centre) in Delhi who tested positive show no symptoms, and their virus seems to be less virulent, said a report in Times of India dated April 4. Acording to the report, the Tamil Nadu health department has asked virologists to study the strain and its virulence. “We have isolated and tested almost all those who participated in the conference (those who stayed in Markaz). Many who tested positive show no signs of having the virus,” said health minister C Vijayabaskar. “And others have only mild symptoms. We see this outside the cluster as well. So far, we have had one death. They respond to antiviral drugs; didn’t require ventilators,” he said.

As many as 2500 Tablighi Jamaat associates remained in the Central Office (Markaz) of the Jamaat, including 250 foreigners, when the sudden countrywide lockdown was announced. Markaz is a central office or building of the Tablighi Jamaat similar to an ashram, which is open 365 days of the year for people to come, stay and listen to religious discourses for learning and course correction.

The Tablighi Jamaat primarily works among ordinary errant Muslims to mend their ways of life and revive their faith. Goups of such Muslims from across India and other countries are invited to stay in mosques for several days and taught to live an upright life. Markaz is one such big mosque in Nizamuddin area of Delhi. There was no special program or event held in the Markaz between March 5-28 but the regular groups of Muslims who had gathered there to stay for learning.