Andhra Pradesh: Here are dos and don'ts for disposal of COVID victims' bodies

Andhra Pradesh : The government has issued fresh dos and don'ts for the management of COVID infected bodies in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus. Under new guidelines, the COVID test will be conducted on all the suspected bodies. The body of a deceased will not be handed over to family members until the test result is negative.

Every death caused by COVID should be reported to the nodal or special officer appointed by the concerned hospital superintendent. The information should be shared with the district collector as well.

How to handle the bodies

The health worker on duty shall remove the corpse from the ward carefully. He should wear a proper PPE kit for protection. Close the mouth and nostrils of the carcass and place it in a leak-proof plastic body bag. Then replace the body bag with a re-sheet or wrap it with the clothes given by the family members. Do not embalm corpses.

How to dispose of the bodies

The body should be handed over to the relatives only after it is wrapped in a bag. After the carcass is moved to the crematorium or burial, the vehicle and crew transporting the carcass should be disinfected with 1% sodium hypochlorite. Bathing, kissing and hugging the corpse are not allowed.

No more than 20 people may congregate at the cemetery or burial ground. Appropriate physical distance should be maintained. Role of local municipal authorities The body should be seized only after placing the body in a bag. The vehicle and crew transporting the body for cremation or burial should be sterilized with 1% sodium hypochlorite.

If possible, bodies should be cremated in eclectic crematoriums The ashes should be handed over to family members for rituals. Cemetery staff should be counseled to avoid any difficulties in the management of these activities.

Test reports

All the District Collectors have been directed to ascertain through proper information of the deaths caused by COVID and guide the municipal authorities accordingly to prevent the spread of the disease.

CDMA should appropriate instructions to all Municipal Corporations and Municipalities in the State to the Municipal Commissioners. From now on, CDMA will also be part of the State Command and Control Center.