AMRITSAR: Sixty two-year-old Sikh spiritual singer and Padma Shri recipient Nirmal Singh , died of coronavirus in Punjab early morning on Thursday. Nirmal Singh was a former ''Hazuri Raagi'' at Golden temple and a celebrated artiste. He died in Amritsar around 4.30 am.

He had been put on a ventilator on Wednesday. "His risk factor increased due to his bronchial asthma," KBS Sidhu, a senior officer in charge of Punjab's COVID-19 response, said.

Nirmal Singh had recently returned after a trip abroad and was admitted to hospital after he complained of breathlessness and dizziness on March 30.

According to officials, he had held a large religious gathering in Delhi, Chandigarh and some other places after his return. Along with his family members and relatives, he had also performed a "kirtan'' at a house in Chandigarh on March 19.

His two daughters, son, wife, a driver and six others who were with him at these events have been isolated at a hospital.

Nirmal Singh, who received the Padma Shri in 2009, was known for his knowledge of all 31 "Raags'' in the Gurbani of the Sikh holy book Guru Granth Sahib.

He is Punjab's fifth coronavirus victim while the state has 46 coronavirus cases.