Cremating the body of a “relative” suspected of being infected with Covid-19, a few weeks later found still alive
The New York Post on April 25 reported that Alba Maruri, 74, woke up from a coma and asked doctors to call her sister. Nearly a month earlier, Alba’s family was informed by a doctor that the 74-year-old woman had passed away and her body was cremated for fear of the Covid-19 epidemic.
When they heard the doctor’s announcement, they were extremely shocked and wondered whose body they had taken for cremation.
Alba was taken to a hospital in the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador in March, after showing symptoms of the Covid-19 epidemic such as high fever and difficulty breathing, according to local newspaper El Comercio.
Doctors told Alba’s family that the 74-year-old woman had passed away on March 27 and sent them to identify the body of a loved one.
But because of fear of the Covid-19 epidemic, Alba’s family had to stand 1.5m away from the body to identify.
Jaime Morla, granddaughter of Alba, told the press: “I was scared when I had to look directly into the face of the deceased, while standing 1.5 meters away. I noticed the hair and skin color of that body. very similar to Miss Alba.”
The body, mistaken for Ms. Alba, was then cremated, and the victim’s family had to cover all expenses.
The body to be cremated was not Ms. Alba’s. Illustration
But on April 23, after nearly a month of unconsciousness, Ms. Alba woke up and asked to see her relatives.
According to Reuters, on April 24, medical staff at the hospital went to Ms. Alba’s house in Guayaquil city, the epicenter of the Covid-19 epidemic in Ecuador.
“A doctor, a psychologist and a social worker got out of the ambulance. They apologized to us and said that Ms. Alba was still alive. We were shocked. It was so unexpected,” Aura Maruri, Ms. Alba’s sister told Reuters.
Alba was suspected of being infected with Covid-19 when she showed symptoms of the disease. However, this 74-year-old woman has not been properly diagnosed because a sample has not been taken.
Alba’s family had to wait until April 25 to visit because of travel restrictions in Ecuador.
Aura did not know what to do with the metal box containing the ashes of the mistaken body.
“I couldn’t sleep because I was afraid. This was a deplorable mistake from the hospital,” said Ms. Aura.
The hospital incident at the epicenter of the Guayaquil epidemic highlights the difficulties Ecuador is facing as the Covid-19 pandemic has overwhelmed the health system, while sanitation workers struggle to collect and identify The number of bodies is increasing.
According to statistics from Johns Hopkins University (USA), as of the evening of April 26 (Vietnam time), Ecuador had nearly 23,000 people infected with Covid-19, 576 people died from this disease and more than 1,300 people recovered.
The Ministry of Health recommends isolation and health monitoring in the prevention of Covid-19: – For close contacts of Covid-19 positive patients: Must be isolated at a medical facility for 14 days, and at the same time take samples for testing. – For people in contact with close contacts of Covid-19 positive patients: Isolation, health monitoring at home, place of residence, residence within 14 days and notify local authorities (wards, communes, townships) and must closely monitor the health situation. If you have symptoms of fever, cough, sneezing, runny nose, fatigue, chills or difficulty breathing, immediately isolate yourself at a medical facility and take samples for testing. – Regularly wear a mask and cover your mouth when coughing and sneezing. – Wash your hands with soap frequently to avoid the risk of spreading the disease to others. – Share your travel schedule with medical staff. – Immediately call the information hotline: 19003228 and 19009095. |
at Blogtuan.info – Source: danviet.vn – Read the original article here
