An elderly man who died of Covid-19 at Watford General Hospital has been named online.

Manohar Krishna Prabhu became the sixth person in the UK to die after contracting the illness when he passed away at the Vicarage Road hospital on Monday evening.

He was in his 80s and a member of the congregation at Bhaktivedanta Manor in Letchmore Heath, near Bushey. It is believed he lived locally.

The British-Indian grandfather has been named by both the Times of India newspaper and on Facebook on Hare Krishna community pages.

NHS England confirmed on Tuesday that the man who died at the hospital on Monday had underlying health conditions, and England’s chief medical officer Chris Whitty confirmed he had contracted the virus in the UK.

The Times of India added that he had been in hospital for more than a week – and that some members from Bhaktivedanta Manor – the UK headquarters of the Hare Krishna Movement – had been to visit him in hospital.

Following the man’s death, his family said in a statement: “We have lost a loving, caring father, grandfather and brother.

“His age and failing health did not stop him from living a full and complete life and always doing things for other people. He was guided by his innate kindness.

“Our father will be sorely missed, not just by us but by those whose lives he touched.

“We can advise that this is the only statement we are going to release at this time with regards to our dearly loved relative.”

A tribute widely shared on Facebook described Manohar as a "wonderful devotee and friend and would always welcome and spend time talking to the many visitors who came to Bhaktivedanta Manor".

At the end of last week, the manor announced it would be closing temporarily after a member of the congregation tested positive for Covid-19.

A statement published by the temple last week read: “In the interest of the health of all devotees and visitors as a precautionary measure the temple is now closed to the public.

“Sadly a member of the congregation tested positive for COVID-19. The person has not been to the temple but others have been in contact with them.

“The temple will be deep cleaned after which it will again be open.”

On Tuesday, the manor confirmed it would be reopening on Wednesday after receiving advice from Public Health England.

Bhaktidevanta Manor is also mourning the loss of another of its members.

On Wednesday, it announced that its former president, His Grace Srutidharma Das, died at the manor on Tuesday evening.

He was diagnosed with a form of brain cancer in early 2018 which meant he had to step away from active life at the temple.

Watford Observer:

Srutidharma Das, former President of Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna Temple

Managing director at the manor, Gauri Das, said in a message: “He (Srutidharma Das) spent his life selflessly serving at the holy dhama of Bkaktivedanta Manor, from which he has now departed.

“His passing was auspicious as was his life, in the holy place of Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna Temple.”

A series of events and events took place on Thursday at the manor to honour Srutidharma Das.

Tributes have poured in across Facebook for both Srutidhama Das and Manohar.