Family members flout protocol while conducting last rites of Covid patient

MANGALURU: A Mangaluru family is in the eye of a storm after members conducted last rites of a Covid-19 fatality as per tradition, flouting protocol by allegedly bathing the body and allowing about 150 people to pay their last respects at Boloor crematorium.
The fatality, an 80-year-old woman, was admitted to a private hospital with a complaint of fever on Sunday. As per protocol, hospital staff collected a throat swab sample for Covid-19 tests, but the woman died that evening. The hospital released the body to family members, contravening rules in existence at that time and the last rites were performed on Monday. Results on the woman’s samples now confirm she was infected by the virus.
District health and family welfare officer Dr Ramachandra Bairy said the death was said to be because of cardiac disease, but the body was released without consulting the department.
“They made a mistake, whether it was done knowingly or unknowingly is a separate issue. As per guidelines, bodies cannot be handed over until the Covid-19 test report is given,” Dr Bairy said.
But the government issued fresh guidelines on Wednesday, which said bodies could be released even before Covid-19 test results are out. However, last rites should be conducted as per Covid-19 protocol.
“So, in such a case, the body should have been handled like a Covid-19 victim,” Dr Bairy said. “No one is allowed to touch the body and it should be in a sealed body bag.”
The new circular was issued to avoid mental agony of family members, who were previously made to wait interminably to take the body. On the Boloor incident, Dr Bairy said no complaint has been received so far.