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Can Coronavirus be transmitted from dead bodies? (Original Post) Renew Deal Mar 2020 OP
You handling a bunch of dead bodies there, buddy? greenjar_01 Mar 2020 #1
I'm thinking about getting a job as an Uber driver for their new service Renew Deal Mar 2020 #2
Ha! greenjar_01 Mar 2020 #5
In general, dealing with people that died of a viral infection. WHO lapfog_1 Mar 2020 #3
Wait for the corpse to age a little dalton99a Mar 2020 #4
Your new career might be a go! Per the CDC.. Princess Turandot Mar 2020 #6
Thanks Renew Deal Mar 2020 #7
You mean Pence can transmit it? Kablooie Mar 2020 #8
This message was self-deleted by its author dewsgirl Mar 2020 #9
3000 deaths total worldwide. Voltaire2 Mar 2020 #10
Of course Chainfire Mar 2020 #11

lapfog_1

(29,199 posts)
3. In general, dealing with people that died of a viral infection. WHO
Mon Mar 2, 2020, 01:32 AM
Mar 2020

Specific advice for workers handling corpses
Graveyards should be at least 30 m from groundwater sources used for drinking-water.
Grave floors must be at least 1.5 m above the water table, with a 0.7 m unsaturated zone.
Surface water from graveyards must not enter inhabited areas.
Exercise universal precautions taken when handling blood and body fluids.
Use gloves once only and dispose of correctly.
Use body bags.
Wash hands with soap after handling bodies and before eating.
Disinfect vehicles and equipment.
Be vaccinated as much as possible.
There is no need to disinfect bodies before disposal.
Blood borne viruses can be transmitted via direct contact of non-intact skin or mucous membrane from splashing of blood or body fluid or from injury from bone fragments and needles.
Gastrointestinal (GI) infections can easily be transmitted from feces leaked from dead bodies. Transmission occurs via the fecal–oral route through direct contact with the body, soiled clothes or contaminated vehicles or equipment.

Princess Turandot

(4,787 posts)
6. Your new career might be a go! Per the CDC..
Mon Mar 2, 2020, 02:26 AM
Mar 2020

Because the disease primarily spreads via respiratory droplets, a no longer breathing person isn't a problem, unless you stir something up, like using an oscillating saw to cut into a bone.

Most of the article relates to autopsies, but this is the website/guidance that the funeral directors' organization is sending their members to.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-postmortem-specimens.html

Much is unknown about COVID-19. Current knowledge is largely based on what is known about similar coronaviruses. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and now with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Most often, spread from a living person happens with close contact (i.e., within about 6 feet) via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread. This route of transmission is not a concern when handling human remains or performing postmortem procedures. Postmortem activities should be conducted with a focus on avoiding aerosol generating procedures, and ensuring that if aerosol generation is likely (e.g., when using an oscillating saw) that appropriate engineering controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) are used. These precautions and the use of Standard Precautions should ensure that appropriate work practices are used to prevent direct contact with infectious material, percutaneous injury, and hazards related to moving heavy remains and handling embalming chemicals.

Response to Renew Deal (Original post)

Voltaire2

(13,003 posts)
10. 3000 deaths total worldwide.
Mon Mar 2, 2020, 06:31 AM
Mar 2020

So if Wuhan had just one crematorium capable of cremating 150 bodies per day it would have processed all of the covid-19 deaths in the world in 20 days.

So I’m curious where you got this information on the 24/7 Wuhan crematoriums.

Chainfire

(17,527 posts)
11. Of course
Mon Mar 2, 2020, 09:38 AM
Mar 2020

If the virus will survive on metal surfaces it will survive on corpses. However, it is unlikely that the corpse will be coughing on you.

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