Govt speeds up handling of dead bodies

The Department of Health on Thursday said it’s speeding up the handling of dead bodies after a spike in death cases during the current Covid outbreak.

Currently, the bodies of patients who passed away at accident and emergency departments of hospitals have to be transferred to public mortuaries for the department to handle, and all cases need to be reported to the Coroner.

Officials admitted that since early this month, the death investigation procedure had taken “longer than usual” as more patients died at A&E departments.

“The DH’s forensic pathology service has increased manpower, and has deliberated with the police and the Coroner’s Court to devise measures to facilitate the next-of-kin to identify body and handle after-death arrangements in a timely manner,” officials said.

The department said apart from cases that require autopsy, people will now be able to collect the cremation order within two working days following body identification and claim the body any day after obtaining the order.

Officials added that the police will assist the department in contacting people for body identification matters.

Nearly 5,000 people have died in the current wave of Covid infections.