Remains of 10 confirmed COVID-19 cases cremated at Baesa Crematorium

Out of the 97 bodies that have been turned to ash at the Baesa Crematorium in Quezon City, 10 were confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 patients while others were suspected COVID-19 cases.

According to a 24 Oras report by Ivan Mayrina, 97 bodies had been cremated at Baesa between March 24 and Sunday.

The crematorium has also increased its daily cremation target from six bodies to eight.

It takes around two hours to fully turn a body to ash.

Quezon City has the highest number of COVID-19 cases nationwide at 764 with up to 60 deaths and 45 recoveries.

“Ang nakikita naming trend, for example, like East Avenue [Medical Center], mga six to eight bodies for the last three days… gano’n ang average, so medyo alarming ‘yun,” said Mike Marasigan, head of the local disaster management office.

In the City of Manila, meanwhile, a public crematorium can only cremate five bodies a day as its machine takes three to four hours to turn remains to ash.

Eighty-four bodies had been cremated there between March 22 and Sunday and two  were COVID-19 positive while others were suspected COVID-19 cases.

Other families opted for direct burial instead of cremation.

“Sinusunod lang din po namin ‘yung requirements, ‘yung protocol na dapat po sealed metal casket po ang gagamitin ng pamilya para sa direct burial,” said Manila North Cemetery spokesperson Roselle Castaneda.

As of Monday afternoon, 443 COVID-19 cases with 24 deaths and 10 recoveries have been recorded in the capital city. -- Julia Mari Ornedo/BAP, GMA News