Nasal swab samples from our bodies of suspected COVID-19 instances must be collected for testing of coronavirus an infection on the emergency earlier than transferring the physique to mortuary, the ICMR mentioned. In line with the ‘Customary Pointers for Medico-legal post-mortem in COVID-19 deaths in India’ launched by the ICMR on Tuesday, if the COVID-19 take a look at report is awaited, the useless physique should not be launched from the mortuary till the ultimate report is acquired and after the formalities, it should be handed over to the district administration.
“It’s advisable to gather Nasopharyngeal swab on the emergency division/casualty/ward/ICU and must be despatched for COVID-19 RT-PCR take a look at in all suspected instances earlier than transferring the physique to mortuary for preservation if the identical was not despatched in due hospital course,” the rules mentioned.
Asymptomatic contaminated individuals and sufferers in incubation interval might not meet the diagnostic standards for suspected instances, but when they’ve attainable epidemiological historical past, all useless our bodies with out dependable medical/epidemiological historical past and all unidentified useless our bodies must be handled as suspected COVID-19 deaths.
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“Circumstances with adverse swab outcomes additionally must be handled as suspected COVID-19 deaths as false adverse end result is just not unusual,” the rules said. At no time, greater than two family should be current close to the physique they usually should preserve a distance of no less than one meter from the physique.
The physique should be recognized via the plastic bag, with out opening the bag, and it should be completed within the presence of regulation imposing companies. “The physique should be taken to the burial/cremation floor in presence of regulation imposing companies, the place no more than 5 family of the deceased must be allowed,” it mentioned.
In case of burial, higher floor must be cemented and earmarked. The physique should be cremated in electrical crematorium, wherever attainable, in order that the motion and dealing with of the physique is minimised, the rules said.
Spiritual rituals which require touching the our bodies must be averted like bathing, kissing and hugging of the useless our bodies, the doc mentioned, including the ashes don’t pose any threat and may be collected to carry out the final rites. As for the best depth of burial of useless physique, the ICMR mentioned as per accessible literature and studies, the burial is being completed at a depth of six to eight ft.
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Throughout post-mortem or whereas dealing with the useless physique, if anybody get unintended occupational publicity with physique fluids/tissues of a COVID-19 affected person, then instantly the complete uncovered space must be washed with cleaning soap and water with minimal contact time of 20 seconds. This must be adopted by software of 70 per cent alcohol primarily based disinfectant.
The uncovered garments/ articles must be disposed off in response to the established practices. The matter must be reported to the hospital administration to guage the mandatory steps accordingly, the ICMR added.