Stricken by fear, villagers obstructed Sultana’s burial suspecting her to be a coronavirus victim.

Denied burial, her father Farid Mia, an old man, was left with no option but to guard the body of her daughter on a boat in the Meghna River in Sadar Upazila of the district.

Then came forward a health department team in his aid and made all the arrangements for his daughter’s burial with the help of local police.

Sultana Begum, an RMG Factory worker in Narayanganj, was so unlucky that her relatives and villagers did not allow her husband, Amanullah, to touch her or see her face for the last time, fearing that she died from coronavirus.

This tragic incident demonstrates how a deadly virus is testing human relations and human rights, reshaping the aspects of death.

According to media reports, people at different parts of the country are creating obstructions to and showing reluctance about burying or handling the bodies of people dying with coronavirus symptoms as misinformation sparked fear among them that the corpse might be a reason for the spread of the virus in their areas.

However, health experts said there is nothing to be worried about handling or burying even the dead bodies of those dying from coronavirus if some protective measures are taken and WHO’s guidelines are followed.

More importantly, they said coronavirus cannot remain alive in a dead body for a long time.

On March 24, the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued some guidelines in this regard. "To date, there’s no evidence of people becoming infected from exposure to the bodies of those who died from Covid-19," it said.

The global heath body also said the safety and wellbeing of everyone who tends to deal with bodies should be the first priority, and before attending a body, people should make sure that necessary hand hygiene and personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies are available.

It also said those who have died from Covid-19 can be buried or cremated. “Those tasked with placing the body in the grave, on the funeral pyre, etc., should wear gloves and wash hands with soap and water after removal of the gloves once the burial is complete.”

Contacted, Vice-Chancellor of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Prof Kanak Kanti Barua said, “According to the WHO, the virus can’t survive in a dead body for more than three hours. So, if a coronavirus patient dies, the dead body should be given a bath and prepared for funeral or burial after four-five hours,” he said.

He also said the dead body should be washed with soap so that no virus can remain. “I think, there’s no risk of touching any corona patient’s dead body or burying or cremating it wearing protective gears. People shouldn’t be worried about it.”

As precautions, those who are supposed to give bath or handle the body can use personal protective equipment or PPE, face masks, gloves and wrap the body with a sealed polyethene bag.”

Prof Harun-or-Rashid, the head of medicine department of Dhaka Community Medical College & Hospital (DCMCH), said though the WHO says the virus dies after a few hours in the dead bodies, people should remain alert in handling those.

“Very few people should be engaged in dealing with the body and prepare it for janaza and burial,” he said.

The physician said the body should be wrapped up with a fully sealed and impermeable bag after giving a bath and it should not open to show people the face of the dead as people traditionally do.

According to the WHO, he said, burial is the best option for the people who died from coronavirus and there is no possibility of spreading virus from the graveyard. “But people should now stay away from visiting graveyards.”

Founder of Gonoshasthaya Kendra Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury said there are many viruses and parasites that can grow and flourish in dead bodies, but coronavirus cannot survive in dead bodies.

He said people should take some time to handle the body of the corona patients instead of doing it hastily.

Dr Zafrullah said the dead body should be given a bath in conventional ways using soap. “The virus can’t remain alive if the bath is given with soap. So, there’s no reason to be worried about handling the dead bodies. But everyone should remain alert and take the precautionary measures.”

He said a small number of people should join the janaza of any person, let alone the corona-infected one, to maintain social distancing and remain safe. “Those who will take part in the janaza should also use protective gears and face masks and maintain the safe distance to keep them safe.”