Home | News | LATE PM’S CASKET DID NOT POSE COVID-19 HAZARD

LATE PM’S CASKET DID NOT POSE COVID-19 HAZARD

10/01/2021 09:23:00 BY MFANUKHONA NKAMBULE

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mfanukhona@times.co.sz

MANZINI – Government says the unsealed casket, which carried the body of deceased Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini, did not pose any health hazard to mourners.

Sipho Shongwe, the Chief Environmental Health Officer, said relatives did not touch, hug or kiss the corpse.

He was reacting to growing concerns, mainly on social media that the casket was not covered to protect mourners and pallbearers from probable infection since the late PM died of COVID-19-related illnesses.

Shongwe was asked to share his thoughts and experiences in handling the State funeral and memorial service from a COVID-19 compliance point of view.

Sipho Shongwe, the health expert, emphasised that the body was never touched in compliance with health regulations.

He said sanitisers were sprayed onto the casket handles. Shongwe mentioned that the casket handle was no different from that of a door, which after coming into contact with it; the hands should be washed with clean water and soap.

wrapped

Collaborating what he said, a source close to Cabinet explained that the ex-PM’s body was wrapped in such a way that policemen who served as pallbearers were comfortable to handle the casket.

Back to Shongwe, he said there could be, therefore, no scientific evidence that some mourners contracted the virus during the State funeral and memorial service in honour of the late prime minister.

He said the pallbearers wore disposable gloves and masks. The health officer pointed out that they would repeatedly disinfect the casket with a spray

“There was no anomaly at DUPS Funeral Home where the deceased’s body was viewed by relatives. I must clarify that COVID-19 regulations do not prohibit relatives from viewing the body if they want to, but advises them against touching, hugging or kissing the corpse. In short, you don’t touch the corpse,” said Shongwe.

It must be said that some people who were present during the two events are either dead or have fallen ill, but there could be no conclusive evidence that they contracted the virus at Jesus Calls Worship Centre where the memorial service was held or Enhlanhleni, the venue of the State funeral.

Again, the casket was not present at JC where Bishop Stephen Masilela had the opportunity to address the mourners and Mduduzi Mbhamali, a police officer and member of the Police Gospel Messengers had the privilege to join the choir on stage.

Bishop Masilela and Mbhamali did not attend the State funeral held at Enhlanhleni where the casket was brought to the marquee which accommodated the mourners. Police Gospel Messengers did not perform there.

fallen

However, those who have fallen ill are Apostle Robert Kasaro, the Senior Pastor of JC and Bishop Samson Hlatshwayo, the President of the League of African Churches in Eswatini. They attended both events.

Again, Shongwe explained that it was not possible to dictate where one got the virus. He said COVID-19 is different from HIV/AIDS, which could perhaps make a person assume that he or she contracted it from the person with whom he had sexual intercourse without a condom. He said frequent human movement meant the virus could infect anyone anywhere and at anytime.

“You can’t be clinically sure that you got it here or there,” he said.

He said officers were on the ground making sure that World Health Organisation (WHO) and Ministry of Health precautions were adhered to by all people who attended both events. He said chairs were arranged such that there was no way to flout social distancing rules, and sanitisers were placed at strategic points to ensure no one entered the tent without a face mask covering his mouth and nose. Shongwe said they made sure takeaways were plastic-sealed and mourners were ordered to eat elsewhere, not where there were many people gathered.

Manqoba Khumalo, the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, who chaired the Government Task Team that was responsible for the preparation of the two events said he was sure that health precautions were followed to the letter. He said the health team that was setup made sure WHO regulations were not flouted. According to the Ministry of Health’s guidelines for safe management of dead bodies in the context of COVID-19, the vehicle transporting a dead body should not be used for food transportation.

It is said that the vehicles should be disinfected alongside the coffin, body bag and mortuary – and this should be done at the mortuary.

If the family uses its own vehicle, the ministry advises that it must be washed with soap and water; then disinfected with bleach/jik or sanitiser (70 per cent alcohol).

Body viewing

The government regulations state that the viewing of the dead body should be done by limited family members. It is suggested that 20 of them could view the body, but should wear personal protective equipment (PPE). It is allowed to perform rituals, but such practice should be done without touching the body in the mortuary or at home.

Clothes and other items of the deceased should be washed and disinfected or put in the coffin. Those who have handled the deceased’s clothes should wash hands. They must also put on gloves while handling them.