Srinagar, Apr 13: Doctors on Monday took samples for COVID-19 of a deaf and dumb beggar whose body was recovered near Chest Disease Hospital, one among the health facilities presently used exclusively for the management of Coronavirus.
Sources told GNS that samples were taken to see if the person might have contracted the dreaded disease. “The man was always encircled by dogs as he would feed them also. Since cases of Coronavirus transmission to animals cannot be ruled out, the samples were taken to confirm if he has died of the virus and incase it turns to be so, the dogs in the area may be culled to prevent the spread of the disease,” they said.
Meanwhile, the doctors also advised Police to take all precautions while handling the body which is now kept in a mortuary at PCR Srinagar.
While the main driver of transmission of COVID-19 is through droplets, the guidelines underline that there is unlikely to be an increased risk of the infection from a dead body to health workers or family members. However, those handling the body are required to follow standard precautions (surgical mask, gloves).
Meanwhile, police have sought information regarding the deaf and dumb whose body was recovered at Malteng Dalgate.
