15 Apr 2021

The remains of someone who was COVID-19 positive has the potential to be infectious if not handled appropriately.

District Health Management Team (DHMT) occupational health nurse, Ms Onkabetse Molefane said in an interview that even though there was limited evidence on the infectiousness of the dead body, precaution should be exercised at all times.

She reiterated that the most critical time was the first 24 hours after death, hence the need to ensure quick removal to the mortuary.

Ms Molefane said the public should be keen to report the case to the local council or any health office nearby to be assisted fully around issues concerning proper handling of the body.

She indicated that where possible the deceased should be buried within 72 hours of their death or from the time the body was handed to the family.

“This will help to reduce the burden on mortuaries.

The evolution of the pandemic across the world is unknown, and with a rise in the number of deaths there is a potential to overwhelm mortuary space and the health system,” she said.

Moreover, she said it was important to bury the body within the specified time to reduce the possible infection through mass gatherings as was the custom during mourning periods.

Ms Molefane underlined that the family could prepare the body at home while awaiting removal to the mortuary or before burial by following set precautions.

“Washing and kissing the body is not recommended.

Children and persons older than 60 or people with a weakened immune system should not prepare the body,” she advised.

Further, she underpinned that if it was a cultural practice that other family members should be present during body preparation, they may observe the preparation from a distance of at least two metres away, citing that one person should be handling the body.

Of particular note, she recommended that the person handling the body should ensure the wearing of gloves and mask.

“After preparation, cleaning the surfaces with a disinfectant or alcohol-based solution wearing gloves and masks should be done.
Clothes that were worn during this process should be removed immediately and washed in water and soap as soon as the handling process is done,” she said.

Ms Molefane noted that the body handler should practice safe hygiene (wash body thoroughly) to decontaminate at the end of the process.

She indicated that body viewing was allowed only for immediate family members and that such could be arranged with the mortuary, citing that those attending the viewing should practice social distancing and wear face masks.

Ms Molefane explained that the family was allowed to take the coffin home and where possible the family should be advised to collect the coffin on the day of the funeral.

“Practicing cultural or religious final rights that promote physical contact with the body is prohibited,” she said adding that those who are sick and had COVID-19 symptoms should not attend the funeral. Ends