Humanity shamed: Mourners flee after deceased’s test came back COVID positive in Srikakulam district

Srikakulam: Humanity was shamed on Friday when mourners ran away soon after they came to know that 66-year-old woman was tested positive for COVID 19 after her death at the Sompeta area in Srikakulam district.

The incident occurred barely hours after the body of a 70-year-old COVID-19 patient was towed away on a JCB earth-moving machine at the Udayapuram area under Palasa municipality in Srikakulam district.

Locals said that the woman died on Thursday night. Since the woman had helped many in her life, few people arrived to mourn her death. As per the protocol, the medical and health department personnel collected samples from the body for the Covid-19 test.

Minutes after test came back positive, her relatives and neighbors disappeared from the place fearing infection.

The woman’s son and two relatives however stayed. They tried to arrange ambulance to shift the body but to no avail.

The deceased’s son requested the neighbors to help him in the funeral, but the pleas fell on deaf ears. Even they asked him to stay away from them. Though one of the sanitary workers came forward to help, the neighbors asked him not to enter the village.

With no option left, the woman’s son requested the driver of a panchayat truck to help. Initially, the driver refused but later he was convinced by the officials.

Finally, the body was wrapped in a PPE kit and moved into the truck by the woman's son and the sanitary worker. Hardly four to five people cremated the body.

District Collector J Nivas said that they will take action against those involved in the shameful act. He said they will ensure that such inhuman incidents wouldn’t repeat in the district.