Woman in Bulacan found COVID-19 positive 3 days into wake

More than 100 relatives and friends of Katrina Santos - who died from a cerebrovascular disease - showed up at her wake in Guiguinto, Bulacan on July 12. They would not find out that she was COVID-19 positive until three days later.

Darlene Cay's report on "24 Oras" on Tuesday said Santos' death certificate indicated that she succumbed to acute cerebrovascular disease. Her remains were soon after released by the Bulacan Medical Center so her family can arrange for her wake.

"Noong pagdating namin sa ospital, ang sabi ng nurse, 'Ma'am, nakaburol po ba itong anak niyo?' Tapos sabi bakit daw binurol eh COVID-positive daw. Sabi ko wala namang sinabi. Sabi sa akin ng doktor paano raw namin na-release eh sabi ko hindi ko alam sa kanila," Joy Carnay, Santos' sister-in-law, said.

(When we arrived at the hospital, a nurse asked us if we had prepared for our relative's wake. She asked us why we did that when she was COVID-positive. I told them nobody told us that. The doctor asked us how we were able to take the remains out of the hospital and I said I don't know with their staff.)

Based on the Department of Health's (DOH) protocol, procedures for burial and cremation for suspected, probable, and confirmed cases shall be done within 12 hours after death.

This, as some infectious agents may be transmitted when persons are in contact with blood, body fluids, or tissues from remains of persons with infectious diseases. Hence, standard safety precautions must be observed at all times.

The DOH said the embalming of the human remains shall not be allowed. Wakes or any form of public assemblies shall not be allowed as well.

Upon knowledge that Santos had tested positive for the virus, Carnay said they immediately arranged for her cremation and their family underwent home quarantine.

Carnay said they are planning to file a complaint against the Bulacan Medical Center for negligence.

"Gusto naman naming managot 'yong kapabayaan nila (We want the hospital to answer for its negligence)," she said.

In a statement, Bulacan Medical Center expressed its condolences to the family. It also said what happened was due to lack of coordination.

It said Santos' body was released without verifying her swab test result. It added it was already working on the sanctions for the employee who released the body.

The DOH Central Luzon said it was already on top of the matter.

"I have instructed the team also to immediately do a swabbing doon sa family members at tsaka 'yong... we need to also identify since naiburol po, kinakailangan natin i-identify 'yong mga funeral parlor na nag-service sa namatay po," DOH Central Luzon regional director Corazon Flores said.

The Guiguinto local government unit, meanwhile, said it has already provided assistance to the family. -Ma. Angelica Garcia/MDM, GMA News