Order re SOP for Disposal of the Dead Bodies of COVID-19 Affected Persons Dt 3rd April 2020

GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI
HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT
9th LEVEL, A-WING, DELHI SECRETARIAT, IP ESTATE, NEW DELHI-110 002
Ph: 011-23392017, Fax: 011-23392464, email: pshealth@nic.in

No. 52/DGHS/PH-IV /COVID-19/2020/prsecyhfw/3974-4033                            Date: 03/04/2020

ORDER

In exercise of power conferred by the Delhi Epidemic Diseases, COVID -19, Regulation, 2020 under the Epidemic Diseases Act-1897 and in continuation to the earlier guidelines circulated vide this office letter no. SS4hfw /223 dated 19/03/2020, it is hereby directed that following SOP will be followed for disposal of the dead bodies of COVID-19 affected persons. 

 

1. For Death occurred at hospital:

• Hospital should provide trained healthcare worker to handle and pack body.
• Hospital should store the body in the mortuary after ensuring proper disinfection of the body and the body bag as per the guidelines; 
• Hospital should decide whether to carry out Autopsy or not. 
• Hospital should provide Hearse Van to carry, the body to the Cremation/burial ground to ensure that no further infecting is caused. 
• The trained Health care worker should accompany the Hearse Van. 
• The trained health care worker should wear proper protective gears all the time as per protocol. 
• The Hearse Van used must be brought back to the hospital and disinfected as per the protocol before letting it go. 

 

2. For Death at outside Health care Facility due to Corona Virus infection:

• The relatives of deceased should immediately inform the O / o the District Magistrate of their area of jurisdiction; 
• District magistrate shall immediately inform nearest COVID-19 designated Hospital. 
• If unclaimed Dead Body found at public place, Delhi Police will handle the body in accordance of guidelines issued by GOI and bring it to nearest COVID-19 Hospital. . 
• Hospital should provide trained healthcare worker to handle and pack body ensuring proper disinfection of the body and body bag as per the guidelines. 
• Hospital shall provide Hearse Van to carry the body to the Cremation/burial ground to ensure that no further infection is caused. 
• The trained health care worker should wear proper protective gears all the time as per protocol. 
• The Hearse Van used must be brought back to the hospital and disinfected as per the protocol before letting it go. 

 

In view of above, All DM/MS/MDs/Directors of the Hospitals & Delhi Police, Govt. of NCT of Delhi are hereby directed to follow the above procedure to ensure protection for infection from COVID-19

 

(Padmini Singla)
Secretary (Health & FW)

 

No. 52/DGHS/PH-IV /COVID-19/2020/prsecyhfw/3974-4033  Date: 03/04/2020

 

Copy to:

1. Addl. Secretary (UT). MHA (for kind information) 

2. ACS (Home), Govt. of Delhi 
3. Commissioner of Police, Delhi 
4. Pr. Secretary to Hon’ble Lt. Governor of NCT of Delhi, New Delhi 
5. Addl. Secretary to Hon’ble C.M., Govt. of Delhi, New Delhi. 
6. Secretary to Hon’ble Dy. C.M, Govt. of Delhi, New Delhi. 
7. Secretary to Hon’ble Minister Health & Family Welfare, GNCTD. 
8. OSD to C.S, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, New Delhi. 
9. Chairperson, New Delhi Municipal Council 
10. Director, General Health Services, GNCTD 
11. Commissioner, MCD (EDMC/NDMC/SDMC) 
12. All the District Magistrates in the Govt. of NCT of Delhi. 
13. Mission Director, Delhi State Health Mission (DSHM), Delhi 
14. Director, Directorate of Family Welfare, GNCTD 
15. All MS/MDs/Directors of the Hospitals, Govt of NCT of Delhi 
16. Director, DIP with the request for wider publicity. 
17. S10, NIC for uploading the same on the website of Delhi Government

 

(Padmini Singla)
Secretary (Health & FW)