Delhi Government has issued a revised order for disposal of bodies of COVID-19 patients or coronavirus suspected persons. No sample for COVID-19 test will be taken of the body. However, if doctors are satisfied with the clinical examination that the cause of death may be COVID-19 infection, the body may be released as suspected COVID-19 infected body.
For our comprehensive coverage and latest updates on COVID-19 click here.
A revised order issued by Government of NCT of Delhi stated that the fresh SOPs would be managed in accordance with the COVID-19 guidelines on body management issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), Government of India. The Standard Operating Procedures are to be followed if a person tests positive before death, a person found positive on the basis of the sample taken when he was alive, a person admitted to the hospital with severe symptoms of COVID-19 and doctors categorise him or her as a COVID-19 suspect. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the following scenarios have been provided and all stakeholders have been directed to adhere to the same, the order said.
Scenario 1: If, Death occurred at a hospital or COVID-19 positive patient is brought dead:
"The hospital should provide a trained healthcare worker to handle and pack body. A hospital should provide hearse van to carry the body to the cremation or burial ground to ensure that no further infection is caused. A properly packed body will be handed over to the relatives as per Government of India guidelines," said the Delhi government.