Doctors stress that guidance on cadavers is important to reduce risks

Public health doctors say that the guidelines of the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) on handling corpses because of Covid-19 are an important measure to reduce the risk of disease transmission.

“In this scenario of great uncertainty, these precautions in relation to various procedures related to religious funeral ceremonies imply a readaptation on the part of all of us”, considered the president of the National Association of Public Health Doctors, Ricardo Mexia, explaining that the rules aim “reduce the risk of transmission” of the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

The official spoke to the Lusa agency about the rule issued by the DGS on ‘post-mortem’ care of the corpses of people infected with the new coronavirus, where cremation of the bodies is recommended and determines, in the event of burial, that the coffin is not Open.

“I realize that it can cause some discomfort to some people, but it is an important precaution for everyone, as a society, and that people will understand”, he considered.

The rule published on Monday by the DGS issues a set of guidelines for professionals who have to deal with the corpses of patients who die with Covid-19, or when, even without confirmation, they suspect that this was the cause of death. In the latter case, biological samples must be taken before sending the body to the mortuary, which will then be analyzed.

According to these guidelines, all devices and materials used in the treatment must be removed from the body, discarded to their specific containers, and the corpse must be left clean and dry, disinfecting holes and plugging holes to prevent risks of fluid outflow.

“It is essential that professionals who carry out funerals and everyone else involved in handling the body are informed about the potential risk of infection, including family members,” reads the standard, which requires reducing the accumulation of corpses and prohibits the embalming.

Although it is not mandatory, DGS says that corpses should “preferably” be cremated. When this does not happen, the bodies, which must always be packed in waterproof bags, are kept in a closed coffin, and families are also prohibited from opening them.

DGS also determines strict standards of hygiene and personal protection for those who have to handle the body, imposing the use of waterproof material, surgical masks and goggles.

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