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Written question asked by Luke Pollard (Labour) on Friday, 8 January 2021, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 12 January 2021. It was answered by Jo Churchill (Conservative) on Wednesday, 20 January 2021 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Coronavirus: Funerals

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has received advice from SAGE on an increased risk of covid-19 infection for people working in the funeral sector handling the bodies of people who have died from covid-19.

Answer

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) has not made a specific assessment.

Public Health England has published guidance for the care of the deceased with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, which includes guidance for funeral directors. This guidance suggests that those handling bodies should be aware there is likely to be a continuing risk of infection from body fluids and tissues where the infection is present. While the risk of infectious transmission is lower than for living patients, action should be taken to mitigate the risk. This guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-care-of-the-deceased/guidance-for-care-of-the-deceased-with-suspected-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
134553
Session
2019-21
Subjects
Disease control Funerals Staff Coronavirus
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk