Collect nasal samples for Covid test before moving bodies to mortuary: ICMR

The body must be identified through the plastic bag, without opening the bag, and it must be done in the presence of law enforcing agencies

Nasal swab samples from bodies of suspected Covid-19 cases should be collected for testing of coronavirus infection at the emergency before moving the body to mortuary, the ICMR said.

According to the 'Standard Guidelines for Medico-legal autopsy in Covid-19 deaths in India' released by the ICMR on Tuesday, if the Covid-19 test report is awaited, the dead body must not be released from the mortuary until the final report is received and after the formalities, it must be handed over to the district administration, news agency PTI reported.

"It is advisable to collect Nasopharyngeal swab at the emergency department/casualty/ward/ICU and