Management of burying dead bodies of Covid-19 patients and During History's Worst Epidemics: Black Plague, Spanish Flu, Ebola

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic is caused by Coronavirus, called as SARS-CoV-2 causes respiratory diseases that
rangefrom common flu like disease to acute respiratory syndromes. The first case of Coronavirus was reported
in Wuhan city, Hubei province in China in early December 2019.
After the declaration of Coronavirus Pandemics, many Countries declared the Lockdown to stop the spread of
infection. Countries started Reporting hundreds and thousands of death and no guideline was there in the
beginning for themanagement of infected dead bodies and funerals. Later the guidelines were made and issued
by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India for handling the infected dead bodies. It recommends
leak-proof plastic body bags of 150 µm in thickness to be used with another layer of a bag and decontamination
of both internal and external body bag. Embalming of the dead body is not allowed and autopsies should be
avoided. However, if an autopsy is must, then strict infection prevention control practices with proper PPE is
done. According to the Indian Council for Medical Research, cremation by electric or CNG (Compressed
natural gas)-isthe preferred method for disposal.