How to bury the dead with a covid - Novinky.cz<

How to bury the dead with a covid

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently come up with new findings and, based on them, recommendations for funeral services. The Czech Ministry for Regional Development (MRD), which is in charge of the funeral home, has thus updated its recommendations.

Until now, the body is handled in protective equipment, standard services such as washing and combing are not performed and the body is not dressed. It is placed in a designated package - bags with a zipper made of thick-walled plastic, the surroundings are disinfected - and the body is placed in a coffin with the package.

"In connection with the newly issued WHO recommendation for the burial of bodies of the dead with covid-19, the Ministry of Regional Development has reviewed its recommendations and found that they remain valid and current. Given that the SARS-CoV-2 virus was detected for up to 72 hours (under experimental conditions) on surfaces such as plastic or stainless steel, it is therefore essential to clean the surfaces of the contaminated environment, "said the spokesman. MMR Vilém Frček.

WHO newly regulates technical requirements for pathological bags. "The body can be stored in a coffin without a pathological bag, it can also be viewed in an open bag. According to the current document, it is not possible to touch not only the body, but also the personal belongings of the deceased or objects in his vicinity, "the department spokesman emphasized.

"The deceased's belongings do not have to be burned or otherwise disposed of. They should be handled with gloves and cleaned with a suitable agent and then disinfected. Clothes and other textiles belonging to the deceased should be washed in a washing machine at a water temperature of 60-90 degrees, "added Frček.

Even an open casket

Jaroslav Mangl, chairman of the Association of Funeral Services of the Czech Republic, responded to the complaints of some funeral homes about the lack of clear information. "Storing human remains with the covid-19 in two plastic bags is a big deal, because the bags don't have an environmental certification about their decay in the soil. In addition, one disposable hygiene bag is enough. Can you imagine that in a hundred years, when the tomb opens, there will be some fluid with bones in an undeveloped plastic bag that has prevented the natural rot of the remains? He has to bury himself in the country without bags, "Mangl told Práva.

"Some funeral services use the recommendation not to modify human remains and leave them in bags. The procedure recommended by the association to our members is - at the first contact with the body to put gauze impregnated with disinfectant through the respiratory openings, put in a disposable hygienic bag where disinfection is sprayed, put in a morgue at five stages and after 24 hours remove body from bag. wash the body with lukewarm soapy water, dress, make cosmetics and store it in the final coffin, ”adds the chairman of the association, adding that with such a human remains, the coffin can be opened and the family can say goodbye normally.

However, doctors recommend caution despite current findings and recommendations.

Nothing is sure

In an interview with Právo, the head of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Tomáš Vojtíšek FNUSA, stated that no doctor had contracted a positive positive autopsy. It doesn't mean it can't happen.

"It is clear that knowledge about the biological behavior of SARS-CoV-2 is constantly expanding over time. In addition, I would like to point out that the absence of professional diseases of health professionals during autopsies may be the result of the proper use of protective equipment, "the medical examiner responded to a question from the daily Právo.