Review: The safe handling of a corpse (suspected) with COVID-19

• Published in: Journal of forensic and legal medicine Vol. 73; p. 101999
• Main Authors: Dijkhuizen, L.G.M., Gelderman, H.T., Duijst, W.L.J.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2020; Published by Elsevier Ltd
• Subjects: After death; Autopsy - methods; Autopsy - standards; Autopsy - trends; Betacoronavirus - isolation & purification; Betacoronavirus - pathogenicity; Cadaver; Cause of death; Corona; Coronavirus; Coronavirus Infections - prevention & control; Coronavirus Infections - transmission; COVID-19; Death; Disinfectants - administration & dosage; Disinfection - methods; Disinfection - standards; Forensic medicine; Funeral Rites; Humans; Infectious; Infectious disease; Morgue - standards; Mortuary Practice - methods; Mortuary Practice - standards; Mortuary Practice - trends; New coronavirus; Pandemics - prevention & control; Pathology; Personal Protective Equipment - standards; Personal Protective Equipment - trends; Pneumonia, Viral - prevention & control; Pneumonia, Viral - transmission; Post mortal; Postmortem; Practice Guidelines as Topic - standards; SARS-CoV-2; Post mortal; New coronavirus; Covid-19; Postmortem; Forensic medicine; Cause of death; Sars-Cov-2; After death; Infectious disease; Coronavirus; Infectious; Death; Corona; Post-mortal
• ISSN: 1752-928X; 1878-7487; 1878-7487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2020.101999

Countries around the world are confronted with a rising count of patients that die from COVID-19. Up to this date, there is no scientific evidence that proves that a COVID-19 corpse is still infectious. Different guidelines are being followed worldwide on how to deal with a COVID-19 positive corpse. The aim of this review is to compare different guidelines and literature on best practice for handling a COVID-19 positive corpse. The guidelines vary greatly in the use of PPE's and other safety measures especially during autopsy. There is great variation in the use of disinfectant and its concentration. Also recommended funeral services and contact with relatives vary greatly. In conclusion, there is very limited scientific evidence on which the researched guidelines are based. It is unclear why some guidelines propose a “business as usual” attitude and others a “code-red” attitude. More scientific evidence is needed to substantiate the handling of COVID-19 positive corpses to make an educated decision on how to safely handle a COVID-19 positive corpse. •Little is scientifically known about the behaviour of COVID-19 in a corpse.•Little is scientifically known about the infection risk of handling a COVID-19 positive corpse.•Worldwide the amount of COVID-19 positive corpses are increasing, making it relevant to handle them with care to keep the risk of transmission of the virus as low as possible.•All guidelines are based on the same knowledge, yet implement different safety measures.