Why was suicide victim added COVID-19 death toll? Epidemiologists Explain

by Zulfick Farzan 02-11-2020 | 5:11 PM

Colombo (News 1st); The death of a suicide victim was added to Sri Lanka's COVID-19 death toll as the final rites are performed as per the COVID-19 protocols, said Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera on Monday (02).

A postmortem PCR test carried out on a suicide victim revealed the individual was exposed to COVID-19, he added.

'This is not a death directly linked to COVID-19,' he said adding, however, it was added to the COVID-19 death toll in Sri Lanka as the victim was exposed to COVID-19.

Acting Deputy Director-General of Health Services Dr, Hemantha Herath said at times, a person is reported to have been exposed to COVID-19 after a postmortem PCR is carried out on a deceased individual.

He said there are instances when issues arise with regard to releasing the bodies of the deceased until the results of the PCR tests are received.

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On Monday (02) morning, the Government Information Department said the epidemiology unit confirmed the postmortem examination of a patient who died on admission to the Panadura Base Hospital on the 31st confirmed he was infected with Covid-19 virus.

The deceased is a 27 years old male from Panadura and the death is reported to have been caused by suicide, it added.

The epidemiology unit reports this as the 22nd Covid-l9 death in the country, said the Government Information Department.