Bengaluru, Aug 7: Amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Karnataka, the state's health department issued fresh guidelines for the disposal of bodies of COVID patients.
"Although an increased risk of COVID infection from a dead body to health workers or family members who follow standard precautions while handling the body is unlikely, the lack of scientific data requires the utmost care to avoid the inadvertent spread of COVID-19 during these times," the statement from the health department's press release read, emphasising on the dignity of the dead and the religious and cultural tradition.
The 23-page press release elaborated on guidelines regarding testing, handling of dead bodies and other specificities in relation to the management of COVID-19 bodies.
"Testing should not be insisted in every case of death, but only when they have a recorded history of influenza-like symptoms. The body should be handed over to the family members/ relatives in a dignified manner immediately after swab collection and hospitals should provide handouts with a list of dos and don'ts in English and Kannada laying down relevant information," the statement said.
It added, "At the mortuary, health care workers, mortuary staff and the family of the deceased body shall not come in direct contact with the dead body and must wear full personal protective equipment (PPE). If the family or relative are for any reason unable to cremate or bury the body, the local health authority shall arrange for the dignified last rites as per the religious traditions of the family."
Regarding autopsies (post mortem) on COVID-19 bodies, the state department said that they should be avoided, except in necessary circumstances.
The statement also gave detailed guidelines regarding the appropriate recording of COVID-19 deaths in line with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines.
Additionally, the health department made a statement about the admission procedure for COVID positive patients referred by other district administrations saying, "It is now mandatory for all the referrals from the BBMP admission and discharge of COVID positive patients to be done through the online COVID Hospital Bed Management System (CHBMS)."
The state's count of coronavirus cases was 1,51,449 in the past 24 hours.
So far, a total of 2,804 people have died due to COVID-19 in the state, while the average recovery rate in Karnataka is 49.3 per cent.
Comments
PFI is the first kind of organization which is doing community work in all the walks of life.
and providing the helping hands to all the Indian community doing marvelous job.
this is the first organization fighting against corrupt and injustice following the principle of our father of nation mahatma Gandhi’s.
the corrupt and injustice people in the society not ready to accept their policy and trying to stop the voices of justice to the society.
I wish PFI and its sub organizations will continue to support to the society and keep the good work so that people are with you.
Wah what a joke.
RSS is blamming others as terrorists.
Constitutionof RSS is a terrorism. Stupid Hegevar and Savarkar are the heroes of illiterate stupid community.
The whole intelligent community including European Uniion and US openly declared.
This is the sure end and downfall of RSS, which will never come-up again. You woke-up of peace lovers.
Thank you.
You people are never fit to run even a small village and how come thinking of ruling a big country.
RSS is the most active and first ever terrorist organisation in India and it should be banned first. There is no proof of terrorist activities by SDPI and PFI. BJP is afraid of these organisations as they give tought resistance to BJP and this is the reason why its planning to ban these organisations. BJP is doing propoganda only. Real thread for peace + harmoney in India by sanghis. We should ban them first.
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