Ensuring safe handling of the dead bodies of people succumbing to coronavirus disease-2019 infection

Abstract

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in the disruption of the lives of everyone, with marginalized and high-risk population groups being the most affected. As the transmission of the virus is predominantly through close contact or respiratory droplets or fomites, it becomes a careful consideration to carefully handle the bodies of the people who have lost their lives either as a suspected or as a confirmed case of the disease. As there is a definite possibility of the presence of the live virus in the organs of a patient who died when s/he was infectious, it becomes a mandatory requirement to ensure the provision of safety measures. In conclusion, it is of paramount importance to safely deal with the bodies of the people who have died due to COVID-19 infection. However, it becomes equally important to maintain the dignity of the dead and respect the cultural norms of the family as well as the community and at the same time taking adequate measures to ensure safety.