This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about COVID-19. The virus is spread through contact with contaminated respiratory droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or from contact with contaminated hands, surfaces or objects.
Hospital staff are unlikely to contract COVID-19 when transmission based, contact and droplet infection prevention precautions (appropriate PPE and hand hygiene) are used when handling the deceased. The following precautionary strategies must be used to minimise the risk of becoming infected:
COVID-19 is a new strain of disease caused by a coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, that has not been previously identified in humans. It was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, where it has caused a large and ongoing outbreak. Cases have since been identified in several other countries, including Australia.
COVID-19 is spread through droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or by indirect contact with contaminated hands, surfaces or objects. People are at risk of infection if they come in close contact (face to face for at least 15 minutes or in a closed space for at least 2 hours) with someone who has COVID-19.
Hospital personnel should employ infection prevention and control measures and avoid unnecessary handling of deceased bodies to decrease the risk of transmission of COVID19 from deceased persons infected with the virus.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must always be used when preparing the deceased body. The Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare recommends applying transmission-based precautions when providing care for patients.
Persons in close contact with the body must wear:
After use, PPE should be carefully removed and decontaminated or disposed into general waste as soon as practicable.
Family viewing of the deceased is not recommended for a deceased patient known or suspected to have COVID-19.
If family members are permitted to view the deceased at the hospital, family members should not touch or kiss the deceased. If family members touch the body, they should wash their hands with soap and water immediately afterwards or use an alcohol-based hand rub. Gloves are not necessary unless there are visible bodily fluids present on the body.
No family or relative viewings are to be held after the body bag has been closed for storage and transported to the mortuary.
Verification of the deceased
Hospital staff should wear appropriate PPE if examination of the body is required for identification (ID) and completing the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), or cremation certificate. Immediately after doffing PPE, hands should be washed with soap and water or staff should use an alcohol-based hand rub.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has published a guide advising how COVID-19 deaths should be recorded on the death certificate.
The potential for airborne spread of COVID-19 is still unknown. Aerosol generating procedures should be avoided if possible. Airborne precautions should be employed when performing aerosol generating procedures, such as removing tracheal tubes. The removal of surgical drainage tubes and urinary catheters are not classified as aerosol generating procedures.
Airborne precautions include:
For more information, visit Clinical Excellence Commission - Transmission-Based Precautions.
All deceased patients should be treated with the utmost dignity and respect. For all non-Coroner’s cases the following is recommended to care for the body:
