Mangaluru, April 24, 2020: Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Sindhu B Rupesh has clarified that there has been no reports from anywhere of transmission of virus from the dead body of Covid-19 victims. She said there was no need for fears in this regard. Her clarification comes in the wake of the opposition from locals to the cremation of the two Covid-19 victims in the district.
In a press communique, the DC said there is lack of information as well as wrong notion in the minds of the public regarding the cremation of people who die of Covid-19.
She said the Central Government has issued certain guidelines on cremation of Covid-19 victims. The cremation can be done by following certain precautions, she added.
Those who handle the dead body at the crematorium will not face much danger as they will be wearing Personal Protective Equipment. They however have to ensure that their hands are washed thoroughly later on, she said.
The relatives of the dead can watch the cremation from a distance. There can be permission to conduct the last rites as per the tradition, however there is no scope to either touch, hug or kiss the body. Those who want to see the body must maintain a one meter distance and wear mask, she said referring to the government guidelines.
The bodies of the corona victims can either be cremated or buried as is the tradition. There is no chance of spread of virus from the ashes. As there is a possibility that the family members of the Corona victims might have contracted the infection, it is advised that there should not be many people during funeral, the Deputy Commissioner said in a press communique.