In a first, kin of 2 Covid victims present during funeral in Assam

GUWAHATI : For the first time in Assam, families of two persons, who died of Covid-19 in the city, were seen at the cremation ground to pay their last respects on Monday. Standing by their side were health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his deputy Pijush Hazarika who made it a point to be present there to allay fears that the virus gets transmitted from lifeless bodies.
“If anyone gets infected with Covid-19 from bodies during cremation, I will take full responsibility for that. This new practice of not allowing the last rites of the departed souls at cremation and burial grounds should come to an end,” Sarma said.
He added, “On Monday night, I, along with Pijush Hazarika, joined the two families at the cremation ground and paid my last respects along with them. Many think people are alive do not transmit the virus and only dead bodies do. How can the virus get transmitted from such a distance? The pyre is almost five metres away from the gathering. I, too, stood at a distance of about 4 metres.”
The minister further said, “I pray no one else dies of Covid-19. If anyone from Islam and Christianity belief dies, I would want to be present at the burial ground and pay my last respects.” Sarma in his tweet said, “I & @Pijush_hazarika attended cremation….at Ulubari. He had succumbed to #COVID19. We’re in midst of an unprecedented crisis. Important for us to ensure our values & faith in each other remain intact. We should lend moral support to all affected by Covid.”
Assam Covid toll rises to 12 with two new deaths
With the two fresh deaths, the Covid toll in the state now stands at 12. Ten other people, who died of Covid-19 earlier, were not allowed by locals to be buried or cremated. Their family members were not allowed to attend the last rites, which were carried out by health department personnel at isolated places
Assam government’s April 7 SOP for disposing of dead bodies of Covid-19 positive patients clearly says, “The main driver of transmission of Covid-19 is through droplets. There is unlikely to be an increased risk of COVID infection from a dead body to health workers or family members who follow standard precautions while handling the body.”
One of the deceased, whose cremation was attended by Sarma on Monday, is 50-year old man of Fatasil Ambari, who was brought dead to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on June 22. He was found positive for Covid-19 after death. The other one is a 45 year-old resident of Khanapara who died at the GMCH on June 28. Sarma said, “He was brought to the hospital late in a critical state. The doctors could not save him. My sincere condolences to the bereaved family.”