Gwanda (New Ziana) – Health authorities in Matabeleland South Province on Monday expressed fears of possible spread of Covid-19 in the country after noticing South African funeral parlours were transporting multiple bodies, on a single hearse, of deceased Zimbabweans back home.
Although often the cause of death on documents accompanying the bodies is stated as murder or natural, health authorities could not rule out Covid-19 in some of the cases.
South Africa is the worst affected country on the continent with over 1 500 Covid-19 cases, and has registered scores of death.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, a coronavirus victim has to be buried under strict protocols which bans, among other things, body viewing.
There is also a short time frame imposed between death and burial, and most of the social ceremonies associated with burials are equally banned.
Overall, the bodies are required to be handled strictly in accordance with laid down protocols.
The multiple transportation of the bodies on a single hearse, therefore, not only flouts the WHO guidelines for Covid-19 victim burials, but could also be a conduit through which the disease is spread in Zimbabwe.
On Sunday, one hearse crossed the Beitbridge border with six bodies.
Health authorities said this was deeply concerning as families of the deceased could be exposed to Covid-19 unknowingly during burials as they would not have taken precautions as recommended by WHO.
New Ziana
