Government to bury unclaimed bodies of Corona virus victims in nearest cemeteries – Chief Government Pathologist
Bodies of people who have succumbed to corona virus that remain unclaimed within 24 hours will be buried in the nearest cemeteries, the Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor has said.
Speaking in an interview with Citizen Television, the pathologist said loved ones will have to claim the bodies of their relatives in a 24-hour period, and the burial be held within 48 hours at most. The Government will take care of the transport costs and logistics involved in transporting the bodies to their final resting place should they need them.
Asked why embalming was not an option, the pathologist clarified that it was against the international guidelines for handling those who died of Covid-19, as their bodies could still potentially be infectious. It is for this same reason that bodies are required to be buried as fast as possible.
If a member of the family dies at home, the relatives are required to notify the police and public health officers.
The Covid-19 has so far claimed 6 lives in Kenya, while 158 have tested positive as of April 7th, 2020. The Government of Kenya sanctioned cessation of movement within four high risk counties: Nairobi, Kwale, Kilifi and Mombasa to reduce community spread of the disease.
