Burial for COVID suspect, probable within 12 hours 

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Nov 13 (PIA) – Coronavirus disease is so cruel that families may not anymore have the last chance to see their expired loved-ones, as government regulations ruled that those patients who died of the disease should be buried, within 12 hours after their deaths. 

This is true to those who are confirmed to have the disease or even those who are persons under investigation (PUI) and who died. 

In fact, should the patient die in a health facility, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) through Memorandum Circular No. 63 series of 2020, universal, standard and transmission-based precautions and DOH-recommended guidelines and procedures must be strictly observed to avoid further spread of the disease. 

DILG MC 63 or the Interim Guidelines on the Management of Human Remains of Patients Under investigation (PUI) and confirmed Coronavirus Cases said that in handling the remains of PUIs including suspect cases or those with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI), influenza-like-illness (ILI), with travel history to a place with COVID transmission, those who had contact with COVID positive case. 

In fact, suspect case also involves individuals with fever, cough or shortness of breath or other respiratory signs especially when they are 60 years old and above, with comorbidity, assessed as having high risk pregnancy and is a health worker. 

Probable cases are suspect cases with inconclusive COVID-19 test, those who tested positive but the results came from non DOH-accredited laboratories. 

On the other hand, the Department of Health (DOH), on the Guideline of the disposal of the remains of confirmed COVID-19 cases, through Department Memorandum No 047 and Department Memorandum No. 0158, or the proper handling of suspect, probable and confirmed COVID-19 cases said suspect and probable COVID-19 patients who died with pending test results shall be handled similar to a confirmed COVID-19 case. 

Such is so, because transmission of infectious diseases associated with management of dead bodies can occur and can be aggravated by non-compliance to universal, standard and transmission-based precautions, especially in healthcare settings. 

In fact, according to DOH DM 158, the only time that the family can see their dead would be when the body is removed from the isolation area, but with standard procedures strictly followed. 

According to the DILG MC No 63, and the Department of Health Department Memorandum 047, burial, preferably by cremation shall be done within 12 hours after death. 

DOH DM 67 also states that hygienic preparation like cleaning the body, tidying of hair, trimming of nails and shaving, as well as embalming shall not be permitted. 

As to the specific guidelines, both agencies said the dead body must be wrapped in cloth, placed inside an airtight cadaver bag that is leak-proof and closed tightly with tapes to avoid leakage of fluids, before placing in a coffin for burial. 

If the patient died in a health facility, the attending physician or hospital facility health care workers are to attach the biohazard tag to the cadaver bag with “suspected” or “positive COVID-19” and “Handle with Care.” 

According to the DOH MC, at no instance shall unzipping of the cadaver bag and removal of the body be permitted. 

Even then, both agencies in separate memoranda, insist that viewing in funeral parlors and hygienic preparations are not allowed. 

As to the DOH DM 067, for the burial, only adult family members of the deceased may be permitted to attend the funeral. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol) 

DEPRIVED OF HONORS. With the COVID-19, health authorities would rather err on the safe side, ruling out that persons suspected of, or probably affected by COVID would be treated like these are confirmed positive cases would be buried immediately within 12 hours after death, making sure the cadaver is sealed, leak-proofed and placed in sealed caskets. (PIABohol)