Author: hamid

By: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Am I at risk if I touch someone who died of COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning how it spreads.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to mainly spread from close contact (i.e., within about 6 feet) with a person who is currently sick with COVID-19.

The virus likely spreads primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory infections spread. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. This type of spread is not a concern after death.

It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

People should consider not touching the body of someone who has died of COVID-19.

Older people and people of all ages with severe underlying health conditions are at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness. There may be less of a chance of the virus spreading from certain types of touching, such as holding the hand or hugging after the body has been prepared for viewing.

Other activities, such as kissing, washing, and shrouding should be avoided before, during, and after the body has been prepared, if possible. If washing the body or shrouding are important religious or cultural practices, families are encouraged to work with their community cultural and religious leaders and funeral home staff on how to reduce their exposure as much as possible.

At a minimum, people conducting these activities should wear disposable gloves. If splashing of fluids is expected, additional personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required (such as disposable gown, faceshield or goggles and facemask).

Cleaning should be conducted in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).

Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. After removal of PPE, perform hand hygiene by washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. Soap and water should be used if the hands are visibly soiled.

Am I at risk if I go a funeral for someone who died of COVID-19?

There is currently no known risk associated with being in the same room at a funeral or visitation service with the body of someone who died of COVID-19.

What do funeral Home Workers need to know about handling Decedents who had COVID-19?

A funeral or visitation service can be held for a person who has died of COVID-19. Funeral home workers should follow their routine infection prevention and control precautions when handling a decedent who died of COVID-19.

If it is necessary to transfer a body to a bag, follow Standard Precautions, including additional personal protective equipment (PPE) if splashing of fluids is expected. For transporting a body after the body has been bagged, disinfect the outside of the bag with a product with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.). Wear disposable nitrile gloves when handling the body bag.

Embalming can be conducted. During embalming, follow Standard Precautions including the use of additional PPE if splashing is expected (e.g. disposable gown, faceshield or goggles and facemask). Wear appropriate respiratory protection if any procedures will generate aerosols or if required for chemicals used in accordance with the manufacturer’s label. Wear heavy-duty gloves over nitrile disposable gloves if there is a risk of cuts, puncture wounds, or other injuries that break the skin. Additional information on how to safely conduct aerosol-generating procedures is in the CDC’s Postmortem Guidance. Cleaning should be conducted in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claimspdf iconexternal icon are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).

After cleaning and removal of PPE, perform hand hygiene by washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water is not available. Soap and water should be used if the hands are visibly soiled.

Decedents with COVID-19 can be buried or cremated, but check for any additional state and local requirements that may dictate the handling and disposition of the remains of individuals who have died of certain infectious diseases.

First COVID19 death in Kashmir. 65 year old man From Hyderpora who was tested positive died at Srinagar’s CD hospital.

A large number of people have come in contact with him. Four of them were tested positive for COVID19 yesterday.

Srinagar, March 26 (GNS): A 65-year-old man infected with the coronavirus died at Chest Disease (CD) hospital Dalgate, Srinagar in the early hours of Thursday, Kashmir’s first recorded death due to the disease, official sources told GNS.

The man had a medical history of illness with Diabetes, hypertension and obesity.

“Despite our best efforts, the COVID-19 positive patient at Chest Disease Hospital passed away due to cardiac arrest. The patient had medical history of illness with Sugar, hypertension, obesity,” they said.

The patient is said to be a resident of Hyderpora Srinagar (originally, a resident of Sopore) who had returned from New Delhi, UP, Jammu recently after being part of a ‘Tablighi Jamaat’ attended by people from Indonesia and Malaysia.

As of now, eight persons have tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Kashmir Valley while the tally of such patients in the entire J&K has gone up to 11. Three cases were reported from Jammu earlier this month. (GNS)

According to WHO’s March 24 update, globally, over 16,000 people have died, and more than 375,000 have been infected.

The Hindu

India has 610 confirmed cases of COVID-19, of which 555 are active, according to data from the Health Ministry and State governments. The death toll stands at 12, with Tamil Nadu registering its first death on Wednesday.

The spiralling number of deaths came as Spain entered the 11th day of an unprecedented lockdown to try and rein in the COVID-19 epidemic that has now infected 47,610 people, the health ministry said.

Across the world, only Italy now has a higher death toll than that of Spain. In China, where the virus emerged late last year, 3,281 people have died.

As the authorities stepped up testing, the number of cases showed a 20 % increase on the figures for Tuesday, while the death toll showed a 27% rise over the same period.

Despite the national lockdown imposed on March 14, which is to be extended until April 11, both deaths and infections have continued to mount, with officials warning this week would be particularly bad.

“We are approaching the peak,” the ministry’s emergencies coordinator Fernando Simon said in announcing the figures.

Health authorities are hoping it will soon become clear whether the lockdown is having the desired effect.

The Madrid region has suffered the brunt of the epidemic with 14,597 infections — just under a third of the total — and 1,825 deaths, or 53% of the national figure.

With hospitals on the brink of collapse from the surge in patients, troops have set up a massive field hospital in Madrid’s vast IFEMA exhibition centre, which currently has 1,500 beds but which could be expanded to take in up to 5,500 people — making it the largest hospital in Spain.

With the city’s funeral services overwhelmed, officials have commandeered the Palacio de Hielo ice skating rink to serve as a temporary morgue.

(This story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Only designated essential services officials to be allowed to move on production of movement passes: DM

SRINAGAR, MARCH 25: In the wake of the surfacing of two more coronavirus positive cases in the district the District Magistrate Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary has ordered imposition of very strict restrictions in the district.

The order issued under Section 144 of CrPC states that there shall be complete restrictions on public movement including private transport and operation of businesses and activities across the district up to April 15.

It states that only officials of essential services departments as designated and certified by their heads will be allowed to move on the production of movement passes issued by the District Magistrate adding that the lowest minimum number of officials are being provided passes and allowed to move.

The order states that doctors, paramedical staff, ambulance operators and those officials assigned by the district disaster management authority on COVID-19 emergency response duty will be allowed to move on production of valid identify cards.

Concerned agencies have been asked to ensure strict implementation of the order and strict action against violators.

The order states that the decision to impose strict restrictions has been taken as a preventive measure in view of the increased number of coronavirus positive cases — now grown to three — surfacing in the district and are aimed at containing spread of the infection.

Dr Shahid appealed to the general public to cooperate with the administration and ensure strict adherence to the order. He said violation of the order would constitute criminal offence and attract strict action under Section 188 of IPC.

He said the district administration has put in place a mechanism to ensure uninterrupted supplies and deliveries of essential services to the general public of the district. He said essential commodities will be home-delivered to residents as part of this mechanism.

These restrictions will come into effect from midnight tonight and will remain enforced till April 15.