"The public must be wise. If they (the deceased) tested positive for COVID-19, the handling of their remains must follow the existing health protocols," the Governor said here on Wednesday.
He said that he understood the sentiments of the families on the handling of the remains of COVID-19 patients. However, he said, families need to refrain from forcibly taking over the funeral.
"Who does not love their family, all of us love our families. Who has the heart, all of us do not have the heart. But in the current condition (there is no choice) …" the Governor remarked.
He then advised families of the deceased to seek details about the course of treatment from the attending doctor.
“Doctors will not play games in determining a positive status for COVID-19 patients, because it is based on laboratory results of the PCR swab examination. Therefore, they must communicate with doctors,” he added.
"Doctors will not be careless," he said.
Until now, there have been at least three cases of people taking the bodies of COVID-19 patients by force in Batam City.
In fact, in one case, 12 people involved in the funeral of a COVID-19 patient failed to follow the health protocols and were later placed under isolation at the Galang Island Emergency Hospital for COVID-19, the Governor noted. (INE)
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Translator: Yuniati J Naim, Fardah
Editor: Suharto
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