Infected bodies rejected

By GLORIA BAUAI
THE Glanrowan Funeral homes in Goroka and Lae have stopped receiving bodies of those who die from the Coronavirus (Covid-19), the funeral director says.
John Simon Glanville has instructed staff that any deaths requiring mortuary and embalming services must first be taken to the general hospital to be declared, issued a death certificate and swabbed to be confirmed negative for the Covid-19.
“I sincerely apologise to my Papua New Guineans for this inconvenience – it is not a harassment or meant to be discriminatory, rather it is a measure to protect us, including you, from the Covid-19,” he said.
The Morobe Covid-19 Emergency Operations Centre said both the stadium and hospital morgues were full to capacity and the authority would do mass burial for bodies that had been there for more than two months.
Glanville’s decision to stop bodies coming in came after one of his staff in Lae was tested positive for the Covid-19 and isolated.
According to him, the homes received their first two Covid-19 deaths last year and then an increase in number his year.
He said the pandemic had put a lot of pressure on the service which also catered for Madang and Wewak.
“An issue we faced was that some families did not remove their deceased out quickly for fear of the Covid-19 and in turn that was affecting our business,” he said.
“Prior to the Covid-19, we would receive a maximum of 35 bodies per week but this quickly increased with the third wave.
“So, initially, we put a limit for Covid-19 bodies at six and they were kept separately; but after my staff fell ill, I had to put a complete stop.
“In Lae alone, we handled about 40 Covid-19 bodies before my decision to stop it.”
Glanville sees the need to liaise with the Morobe Covid-19 hospital to bring another container to serve as a second Covid-19 morgue.