Kerala: 'Nipah-like' measures at funeral of man who tested negative for coronavirus

The funeral of a man who died after being hospitalised in Kochi for coronovirus symptoms, was held on Monday. Last week, 36-year-old Jainesh, a Malaysia returnee, was admitted Government Medical College Hospital at Kalamassery in Kerala’s Ernakulam district with symptoms of novel coronavirus. He died on February 29, a day after he tested negative for coronavirus.

Jainesh's funeral at his hometown Payyanur in Kannur district witnessed heart-wrenching scenes. Though he tested negative for the novel coronavirus, officials ensured precautions were taken—even close family members like his mother and sister were not allowed to touch his body. Since Jainesh had experienced coughing and breathlessness, and the exact cause of death could not be ascertained, the medical department had decided it could not take a chance.

Jainesh's body arrived from Kochi, wrapped in layers of 10 white clothes and packed inside 3 plastic bags. Though the body was kept at his home for 10 minutes, no one was allowed to come close or touch him to pay final respects. Only his face was revealed to the mourners who were made to sit 2m away from the table on which Jainesh's body was placed, Manorama reported.

Jainesh's last rites were performed by 6 of his neighbours who wore protective gear, masks and gloves—a scene that was a stark reminder of the days Kerala battled the deadly Nipah virus. After the funeral, the protective gear and gloves were also burnt at the site.

Jainesh had been working in Malaysia for two-and-a-half years. After he was hospitalised, a check revealed the he had breathlessness and pneumonia. A detailed examination showed that he also suffered from ketoacidosis, a life-threatening problem generally faced by people with diabetes. His body fluids were tested at the Virology Institute in Alappuzha for H1N1 and COVID-19. However, he succumbed even as the result of the second sample was awaited.

-with inputs from Onmanorama