COVID-19 in the Deceased: Are Corpses Transmitting SARS-CoV-2?

Abstract

Background: Following the announcement of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020, numerous questions arose about this virus, including how long it remains active in the human body. Human coronaviruses can survive on inanimate surfaces for 2 hours to 9 days. Objectives: The study aimed to determine whether severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 remains in corpses after death. Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated the epidemiological status of 810 deceased individuals referred to forensic medicine regarding infection with SARS-CoV-2, based on rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) from March 21 to September 22, 2021. The tool for collecting information was a checklist created by the researcher. Information related to the history of hospitalization, infection with COVID-19, and vaccination of individuals was collected through the medical care monitoring center (MCMC) system, the standard forms of the COVID-19 epidemic management and control plan notified by the Ministry of Health, and the university's written list of COVID-19 patients. Results: Of the 810 deceased cases, 584 (72.1%) were men, and 226 (27.9%) were women. The average age of the deceased referred to forensic medicine was 39.5 years. Among the referred deceased, 123 individuals (15.2%) had at least one crucial underlying disease. Among all the deceased, 36 individuals (4.4%) had a positive test. The average interval between death and sampling in positive cases was 32.6 hours (ranging from 2 to 240 hours). Conclusions: Considering the persistence of the virus for more than a week in the deceased, all individuals who deal with the deceased in any way should use less invasive methods during epidemics and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).