18 people test positive after attending funeral of coronavirus patient

18 people from the Ulhasnagar town of Maharashtra’s Thane district tested positive for the novel coronavirus after attending the funeral of a COVID-19 patient.

A spokesperson of the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation reportedly said, “Defying prohibitory orders, at least 70 persons had attended the funeral of a 40-year-old woman, who had tested positive for the virus post her death. The woman’s body was handed over to her family with specific instructions to not open the bag, but they opened the wrapped body to perform the last rites on May 25. The police were first alerted about the funeral, following which the civic authorities were notified. When the 70 mourners, including close relatives, were tested for the infection, reports of 18 came out positive on Friday. A case has been registered against the deceased’s family for violating provisions of the Epidemic Act.”

Regarding the incident, the chief health officer of UMC stated, “We already several times have appealed to the public and again would like to appeal follow rules laid down by state government about how to handle such bodies during last rites. As deceased’s relatives have violated rules, we have decided to file an FIR against culprit.”