Viability of SARS-CoV-2 in cadaver
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Death care during the COVID-19 pandemic: viability of SARS-CoV-2 in cadaver
IRAS ID
307589
Contact name
Elizabeth Berry
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Greenwich
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 0 months, 28 days
Research summary
In a pandemic setting, a gradual increase in case numbers can begin to grow exponentially. This additional burden can cause health care systems to be overcome, and the high fatalities can have downstream impacts on the death care sector. There remains uncertainty concerning the relative risks in handling the deceased and the additional safety precautions that are needed to protect those who come into contact with the deceased. This may include death care professionals, family members and religious officials attending funerals. A rapid increase in fatalities can also lead to shortages in conventional spaces for storage of the deceased, giving rise to additional public health concerns.
The study intends to test nose/throat swabs from deceased hospital patients for COVID-19. The aims are (1) to determine the duration in which SARS-CoV-2 remains viable in deceased persons, and (2) to provide further insight into the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through the handling of bodies of deceased persons.
REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
22/WA/0020
Date of REC Opinion
3 Mar 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion