The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 on Monday said the bodies of persons, who died of coronavirus, were not infectious.
The National Coordinator of the task force, Dr Sani Aliyu, stated this at a media briefing of the PTF in Abuja.
At the briefing, Aliyu and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, apologised for some PTF members’ violation of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control’s protocols at the burial of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari, on Saturday.
Members of the task force, who attended the crowded burial, have been heavily criticised for disregarding the NCDC protocols for burial of corpses of people that die of COVID-19.
Aliyu said, “I would like to further clarify the issue of COVID-19 and burial processes. Contrary to what is on social media, the late chief of staff’s body was properly prepared for burial, according to the NCDC guidelines and the Islamic faith.
Dignitaries at the burial included Mustapha, Aliyu; Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama.
Kyari, who had been undergoing treatment at the First Cardiology Consultants Hospital, Lagos died of COVID-19 on Friday and was buried at Gudu cemetery, Abuja on Saturday.
On Monday, the National Coordinator of the PTF, Aliyu, assured the public that the task force would continue to follow its guidelines.
He added that the NCDC guidelines for COVID-19 were reflective of the World Health Organisation’s guidelines.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that except in cases of haemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola, Marburg and cholera, corpses are generally not infectious.
WHO said this in its interim guidance on ‘Infection prevention and control for safe management of a dead body in the context of COVID-19’.
It said that only the lungs of patients with pandemic influenza, if handled improperly during an autopsy, could be infectious.
“Otherwise, cadavers do not transmit disease. It is a common myth that persons who have died of a communicable disease should be cremated, but this is not true.
“Cremation is a matter of cultural choice and available resources,” it said.
WHO added that to date, there was no evidence of persons having become infected from exposure to the bodies of persons who died from COVID-19.
It said that people may die of COVID-19 in the healthcare facilities, home or in other locations, adding that the safety and well-being of everyone who tends to bodies should be the first priority.
“Before attending to a body, people should ensure that the necessary hand hygiene and personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies are available.
“The dignity of the dead, their cultural and religious traditions, and their families should be respected and protected throughout. Hasty disposal of a dead from COVID-19 should be avoided,” it said.
WHO further added that personnel who interact with the body (healthcare or mortuary staff, or the burial team) should ensure they apply standard precautions.
It said that the precaution should include hand hygiene before and after interaction with the body, and the environment; and use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment according to the level of interaction with the body.
“Ensure that any body fluids leaking from orifices are contained; keep both the movement and handling of the body to a minimum.
“Wrap body in cloth and transfer it as soon as possible to the mortuary area; there is no need to disinfect the body before transfer to the mortuary area,” it said.
It added that children, adults over 60 years, and immunosuppressive persons should not directly interact with the body.
“Give the family clear instructions not to touch or kiss the body.
“Although burials should take place in a timely manner, in accordance with local practices, funeral ceremonies not involving the burial should be postponed, as much as possible, until the end of the pandemic.
“If a ceremony is held, the number of participants should be limited. Participants should observe physical distancing at all times, plus respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene,” it said.
WHO said that the interim guidance was for all health care facilities and mortuaries, religious and public health authorities, and families, who tend to the bodies of persons who have died of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients.
It added that the recommendations would be subject to revision as new evidence becomes available.
“The bodies of persons with COVID-19, as stated by the WHO guidelines and I quote, ‘Except in cases of viral haemorrhagic fever and cholera, dead bodies are generally not infectious.’
“To date, there is no evidence of persons having become infected from exposure to the bodies of persons who have died of COVID-19.’”
When then did they wear protective gears like hand gloves, nose mask etc. Since the dead cannot spread the diseases they undertakes should have buried him in bare hands
This claim by WHO is double standard. You can not claim that the body of a Covid-19 victim is not contagious and at the same time you said proper hygiene before and after contact with the body by washing and disinfecting. Similarly you say family members should not touch or kiss the body. Why are we this causious if it is not contagious.