Karnataka: Protective cover on Covid-19 victim’s body opened in former health minister's presence

MANGALURU: In violation of standard protocol, the protective cover of a Covid-19 victim’s body was opened in the presence of former health minister U T Khader, former MLC Ivan D’Souza and other Congress leaders at the crematorium in Boloor on Friday.
Though the incident is against the standard protocol of the government, Khader told TOI that Congress leaders have not touched the victim’s body. A video clip of people in PPE kits opening the face cover of the Covid-19 victims’ body was shared on a Facebook page, 'Khader Nade Abhivriddhi Kade', and it has gone viral.
“I along with Ivan D’Souza and Congress workers attended the funeral of the woman. Those who were in PPE kits opened the protective cover and showed it to us. We have not opened it. In fact, we have just paid our last respects to the deceased, during the last rites, from a safe distance. There is a need for change in the protocol. The face of Covid-19 victims should be covered with transparent plastic sheets, so that at least family members can pay their last respect to the deceased. At present, most family members refuse to come near dead bodies of Covid victims,” Khader said.
Mangaluru assistant commissioner C Madan Mohan said that there is no provision to open the plastic body bag in which Covid-19 victims’ bodies are packed. “We will look into the matter,” he added.