Up to 250 mourners at a mosque in Blackburn have been forced to self-isolate after the imam tested positive for Covid-19 – as the town overtakes Leicester with the highest rate of coronavirus infections in England.
Since July 4, a maximum of 30 people have been allowed at funerals, but an email seen by the BBC and sent to worshippers at Jamia Ghosia shows that hundreds attended the funeral prayer last week.
Muslim leaders have now closed the mosque for a deep clean and urged those who attended on July 13 to self isolate or undergo coronavirus tests.
It comes after Blackburn has overtaken Leicester with the highest coronavirus infection rate in England, new figures have shown.
The borough of Blackburn with Darwen in Lancashire has a rate of 79.2 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 in the seven days to July 17, according to the latest data from Public Health England (PHE). Leicester has a rate of 77.7 per 100,000 people over the same period.
The email sent to worshippers said: ‘Furthermore the mosque is under investigation by the police and public health for exceeding the number of people allowed to participate in a funeral, which is 30, and for failing to comply with the law.
‘There is a possibility that other attendees may also have been infected at the Janazza prayers.’
Muslim leaders have urged those who attended the Jamia Ghosia mosque on July 13 in Blackburn, Lancs, to self isolate or undergo coronavirus tests.
The imam is understood to have tested positive for the virus and is currently recovering.
The news has sparked anger among locals who called the mosque’s actions in allowing so many mourners to attend funeral prayers as ‘selfish’ and ‘disgusting’.
Health officials in Blackburn introduced new measures last week to enforce social distancing after warning of a ‘rising tide’ of infections, centred mainly on the town’s large Asian community.
Leicester is itself currently in lockdown.
The PHE figures show in Blackburn there were 118 cases in the seven days to July 17, with a rate of 79.2 cases per 100,000 people, compared to 63 cases in the previous seven days up to July 10, with a previous infection rate of 42.3 cases per 100,000 people.
Leicester had 276 new cases in the seven days to July 17, giving 77.7 cases per 100,000 people, down on the previous week up to July 10, which had 429 cases and a previous infection rate 120.8 cases per 100,000 people.
Between those dates, Blackburn with Darwen recorded 79.2 cases per 100,000 compared to Leicester’s 77.7 per 100,000.
Most new cases were among the south Asian community, according to public health officials.
A sign at the Jamia Ghosia mosque, in Blackburn Lancs, shows it is currently closed for a deep clean
Around 150,000 people who live within the Lancs authority have been told to adhere to the new rules in a bid to avoid a Leicester-like local lockdown.
On Sunday an announcement made by the mosque said the building would be closed until further notice while a deep clean takes place.
An email sent by the mosque urged those who attended the funeral to self-isolate for at least a week.
The message read: ‘Unfortunately our Imam who led the Janazah (funeral) prayer has been tested positive for COVID-19 and is recovering from the virus.
‘There is a possibility that other attendees may also have been infected at the Janazah prayers.
‘It is our legal obligation to strongly advise you to isolate yourself for seven days, or attend your local COVID-19 testing station for COVID-test.
Locals have reacted with anger
‘Any future Janazah prayer will consist of 30 people only and all COVID-19 Janazah will NOT be allowed in the Mosque as we experienced this week, this must take place in the Blackburn Cemetery.’
The news was met with backlash from locals who are now fearing an impending local lockdown.
Posting on Facebook, Jo Pointon said: ‘This has really angered me. 250 people.
‘I attended my sisters funeral last week where only 12 people were allowed inside the church leaving several standing outside social distancing which was very upsetting.
‘So 250 people ignore the risks that come from large gatherings, told to isolate. They will not isolate. They will go about their day as normal not giving a thought about anyone but themselves.
‘Selfish and ignorant. My big question is how was this allowed?’
Dave Edmondson added: ‘How has a funeral with 250 attendees been allowed to happen.
‘No wonder there are hotspots and why we’re now still suffering with conditions imposed.
‘I’m hoping a hefty fine will be issued for this.’
In a post dated sometime in June, the mosque told worshippers that using the masjid as normal can ‘amount to a death sentence’.
The post, titled ‘URGENT REQUEST: Coronavirus and the Masjid’ said: ‘During this troubling time, using the masjid as normal can amount to a death sentence for someone you associate with.
‘While the government is anxious to give the appearance that everything is returning to pre-Covid-19 normality, the reality is that the virus is as widespread as when the Lockdown should have started.’
The mosque has been contacted for a comment.
Public Health Blackburn has been contacted for a comment.