Allahabad HC directs Government that deceased patients suspected to be affected by the Covid-19 after antigen tests will be treated as Covid-deaths with regard to disposal of bodies and records.

The Allahabad High Court directed hospitals and state administration to treat the deaths of those persons that were suspected to have COVID-19 after antigen tests as covid deaths. This would require the bodies to be handed over to family members while following all COVID-19 protocols.

The Court clarified that even in the absence of a positive RT-PCR test report, if patients are showing influenza type symptoms and lack history of other co morbidities such cardiac or kidney infections their deaths will be regarded as COVID-deaths.

“In our considered opinion in these days of Covid surge, if a person is admitted to the hospital with ILI (Influenza like infection) and where only antigen testing has taken place or in the event RTPCR is delayed and in the meanwhile patient dies and if such deceased persons had no history of having cardiac or kidney problem then presumption should be raised that such death was caused by Covid infection only for the limited purpose of maintaining records and also following Covid protocol for the disposal of dead body.”