Abba Kyari: What Should Happen To A Covid-19 Corpse

ARTICLES - Posted on: 18th Apr. 2020 at 3:20PM

According to the official report, Abba Kyari died in the early hours of today. His body was flown from Lagos to Abuja for a private funeral according to NCDC protocol and Muslim right. What does NCDC protocol say about the burial of a COVID-19 corpse? 



There is currently an uproar over the burial of the former Chief of Staff. It is believed that he was given a preferential treatment against NCDC's protocol which says Body of COVID-19 victims cannot be claimed, a statement attributed to the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. It is therefore imperative to clear the air on this matter. However, this claim is not found in the guideline of the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC). But the question we must also ask is, how were other corpses treated? Were families diseased allowed to claim or be part of the burial? 



What does NCDC protocol say about the burial of a COVID-19 corpse? 



Below are sections of the NCDC protocol that addressed this issue, as contained in a PDF Document of the conter:



General information

Except in cases of hemorrhagic fevers (such as Lassa fever and Ebola) and

cholera, dead bodies are generally not infectious. Only the lungs of patients

with pandemic influenza, if handled improperly during autopsy, can be

infectious. To date, there is no evidence of infectious bodies of persons who

died of COVID-19.



There are two circumstances in which contact with a deceased body of a

a known or suspected case of COVID-19 may occur.


1. Patients who died in a treatment center or other healthcare setting.

2. A person who died at home or another location outside a healthcare setting

and is known or strongly suspected to have had COVID-19

Whether a COVID-19 patient died in the health facility or in the community,

the body must be granted a safe and dignified burial.

The safety and well-being of everyone who tends to bodies should be the

first priority. Only burial team members that have been trained in IPC and

safe burial practices should be allowed to handle dead bodies and conduct

burials. The team should have the necessary resources such as PPEs, body

bags, disinfectant and appropriate transportation. 



Funeral home/mortuary care

• Family members, religious leaders, health care workers or mortuary staff

preparing the body should wear appropriate PPE according to standard

precautions (gloves, impermeable disposable gown [or disposable gown

with impermeable apron, medical mask, eye protection);

• If the family wishes only to view the body and not touch it, they may do so, 



using standard precautions at all times including hand hygiene.

• Give the family clear instructions not to touch or kiss the body

• Embalming is not recommended to avoid excessive manipulation of the

body

• Adults over 60 years and immunosuppressed persons should not directly

interact with the body. 



Burial rights and procedures

The remains of people who have died from COVID-19 can be buried or

cremated.

• Dead bodies of people suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 should

be treated with respect, ensuring the rights of the dead to a dignifying

burial are upheld; adhering to standard precautions including use of

appropriate PPEs, hand hygiene before and after the burial procedure.

Family and friends may view the body after it has been prepared for

burial, in accordance with customs. They should not touch or kiss the body

and should wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after the viewing. 



Those tasked with placing the body in the grave, on the funeral pyre, etc.,

should wear gloves and wash hands with soap and water after removal of

the gloves once the burial is complete.

• In the contexts where mortuary services are not standard or reliably

available, or where it is usual for ill people to die at home, families and

traditional burial attendants can be equipped and educated to bury

people under supervision.

• The bodies of persons that have died of COVID-19 should be handled

minimally.

• Any person (e.g. family member, religious leader) preparing the deceased

(e.g. washing, cleaning or dressing body, tidying hair, trimming nails or

shaving) in a community setting should wear gloves for any contact with

the body. For any activity that may involve splashing of bodily fluids, eye

and mouth protection (face shield or goggles and medical mask) should be

worn. Clothing worn to prepare the body should be immediately removed

and washed after the procedure, or an apron or gown should be worn;

• The person preparing the body should not kiss the deceased.

• Anyone who has assisted in preparing the body should thoroughly wash

their hands with soap and water when finished

• Apply principles of cultural sensitivity and ensure that family members

reduce their exposure as much as possible. Children, older people (>60

years old), and anyone with underlying illnesses (such as respiratory

illness, heart disease, diabetes, or compromised immune systems) should

not be involved in preparing the body.

• A minimum number of people should be involved in preparations. Others

may observe without touching the body at a minimum distance of 2 metres; 



• Family and friends may view the body after it has been prepared for

burial, in accordance with customs. They should not touch or kiss the body

and should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water following the

viewing; physical distancing measures should be strictly applied (at least 2

meters between people).

• People with respiratory symptoms should not participate in any of the burial

activities.

• Although burials should take place in a timely manner, in accordance

with local practices, funeral ceremonies not involving the burial should be

postponed, as much as possible, until the end of the pandemic.

• In the event a ceremony is held, the number of attendees should be limited.

The ceremony should be held in a well-ventilated structure, attendees should

be advised on social distancing throughout the event, ensuring practice of

hand and respiratory hygiene.

• The belongings of the deceased person do not need to be burned or

otherwise disposed of. However, they should be handled with gloves and

cleaned with a detergent followed by disinfection with a solution of at least

70% ethanol or 0.5% bleach.

• Clothing and other fabric belonging to the deceased should be machine

washed with warm water at 60?90°C (140?194°F) and laundry detergent.

If machine washing is not possible, linens can be soaked in hot water

and soap in a large drum using a stick to stir and being careful to avoid

splashing. The drum should then be emptied, and the linens soaked in

0.05% chlorine for approximately 30 minutes. Finally, the laundry should

be rinsed with clean water and the linens allowed to dry fully

Source: NCDC - Safe Management of a Dead Body IN THE CONTEXT OF COVID-19



Written by Emdee David

Posted by: Emdee David

You MUST be logged in to post comment(s)

Comments

No post comments available!