Ulhasnagar: 18 people who attended last rites of Covid patient test positive

ULHASNAGAR: In yet another incident, 18 people who attended the funeral of a 40-year-old Covid positive woman in Ulhasnagar recently tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday.
This is the second case in the city in one month wherein relatives violated the government's order while handling Covid-19 patient's body during the last rites.
On May 5, similarly after the death of a 50-year old suspect Covid-19 patient at Khanna Compound area, relatives in large numbers attended last rites of deceased resulting so far over 20 close relatives and friends have tested positive.
If health department officials of Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation to believe than in recent case also a woman taking treatment at the private hospital died on May 25 and before her death due to suspect, a doctor had conducted her Covid-19 test which later was tested positive.
The health officials said while handling body of deceased doctor at Central hospital had explained family about guidelines which needs to be followed during last rites that include not touching death body while performing all rituals and bag of pack dead body should be unzipped.
However, it is found that after taking the body on May 25, the family kept it at Hira Ghat area based Budh Vihar hall where over 70 people were present including relatives. After conducting the ritual, they took the body to shamshan bhumi where they even unzipped packed body and served water over it before last rites.
The health officials said when tests results of deceased came positive and team came to know about violation of the order by family during last rites, the health team quarantined over 50 people and conducted their tests resulting 18 tested positive.
The health team is now trying to find out other close contacts of positive patients and also planning about filing an FIR against family members.
Suhas Manholkar, chief health officer of UMC said, "We already several times have appealed to the public and again would like to appeal follow rules laid down by state government about how to handle such bodies during last rites".
Manholkar further said, "As deceased's relative have violated rules we have decided to file an FIR against culprit".
On Saturday with 33 more testing positive for Covid-19, the number has reached 305 in the city.