Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye has disclosed that the burial of COVID-19 dead persons are conducted by the state and the families in a controlled setting to prevent the spread of the disease.
In an interview with Kwame Afrifa Mensah on the ‘Epa Hoa Daben’ show, he explained: “It is a controlled burial for COVID-19 deaths. We do not bury COVID-19 dead bodies as those who had a heart disease or other conditions. We plan the burial with the family. The COVID-19 team with full protective gears help in the burial where there is social distancing in the controlled area. The ground is dug more than 6 feet. It is a similar method we use for infectious diseases such as Ebola, so that in the process of burial, no one contracts the disease”.
It was reported that father of popular musician, Obour who allegedly tested positive for Covid-19 two months ago, was laid in state on the blind side of local authorities. The Regional Director of Health, Dr. Emmanuel Tinkorang was reported to have stated that the local Covid-19 teams were not notified on his burial.
However, Dr.Okoe Boye, when questioned on whether Obour breached the COVID-19 protocols, could not confirm whether the protocols were breached or not.
He told Kwame Afrifa Mensah: “For Obour’s dad, let me be frank with you, I don’t have all the information. A suspected COVID-19 case is different from a confirmed COVID-19 case. I have to get close to the case management people to ask whether there is evidence that he was positive for COVID-19. But for COVID-19 confirmed deaths, the state together with the family hold the burial”.
By: Alberta Dorcas N D Armah