Guideline to handle the dead bodies of coronavirus released!
Posted on: 13/Apr/2020 2:01:06 PM
The Department of Health has released the guideline to be adopted by the Health Department staff while handling the dead-bodies of coronavirus.
The details:
- The body must be wrapped In the special plastic bag meant for this. 1% Sodium Hypochlorite should be dropped on the upper side of the plastic bag as a disinfectant to kill the germs.
- The persons handling the dead body will follow the specific safety procedures such as wearing surgical masks, gloves, etc. Once handing over the dead body for cremation, the vehicle which carried the dead body must be disinfected with 1% Sodium Hypochlorite.
- The staff employed in the crematory or the burial ground must follow the specified safety procedures. In case the relatives want to see the body, they may open the face part alone and show the face.
- No one else apart from the staff must be allowed to handle the dead body. The religious rites to be performed may be allowed without touching the dead body.
- No permission will be given for bathing the dead body or embracing it or kissing it!
- The staff and the family members in the crematory or burial ground must follow all the safety procedures after the final rites were performed.
- The ashes of the cremated body can be offered to the family members for the religious rites to be performed. There is no risk in this.
- As a measure to prevent the coronavirus spread, only the very close relatives must be allowed to be present in the final rites period. Even these persons MUST follow the Social distancing procedure.
Won’t the germs spread? The Health Department Officials informed:
“The burial or cremation is carried out according to the recommendations of the WHO (World Health Organisation). During this event, sodium hypochlorite is sprayed which removes the germs entirely. Hence, burying the dead body will cause no harm and hence the public need not be anxious about this!”
