| Id |
Subject |
Object |
Predicate |
Lexical cue |
| T6 |
0-15 |
Sentence |
denotes |
1 Introduction |
| T7 |
16-352 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and independent organization established in 1863 whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and other situations of violence as well as to assist in the response to humanitarian emergencies, such as epidemics. |
| T8 |
353-573 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The ICRC acquired forensic capacity in the early 2000 to support its humanitarian operations around the world, including for ensuring the proper and dignified management, documentation and identification of the dead [1]. |
| T9 |
574-982 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Based on its forensic capacity and experience gained worldwide from the management of the dead in emergencies, including epidemics (e.g. Ebola [2]), the ICRC has been asked during the present COVID-19 pandemic by Governments and other relevant stakeholders in some of its operational contexts for advice on the management of the dead from COVID-19 infection, for which it has prepared the necessary guidance. |
| T10 |
983-1119 |
Sentence |
denotes |
This guidance paper applies to the management of bodies or human remains of persons believed/confirmed to have died because of COVID-19. |
| T11 |
1120-1250 |
Sentence |
denotes |
It is meant to provide a practical overview of key recommendations for the management of infectious dead bodies and human remains. |
| T12 |
1251-1407 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In addition, it is also meant for practitioners, managers and planners, including decision makers involved in the overall response to the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| T13 |
1408-1553 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Guidance for those actors directly or indirectly involved in the management of the dead in relation to the pandemic is divided into two levels:1. |
| T14 |
1554-1765 |
Sentence |
denotes |
General guidance and support in the management (handling) of the dead, covered by the section “The Management of the Dead Associated To COVID-19 - Technical Recommendations for Healthcare and Death Care workers” |
| T15 |
1766-1768 |
Sentence |
denotes |
2. |
| T16 |
1769-1967 |
Sentence |
denotes |
General guidance and support to the authorities in their response to the increased deaths associated with the pandemic, covered by the section “Protracted Response to Increased Deaths from COVID-19. |
| T17 |
1968-2026 |
Sentence |
denotes |
A Preparatory Guideline for a Mass Fatality Response Plan” |
| T18 |
2027-2297 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The planning or implementation of activities for the management of the dead related to COVID-19 should be always framed by the following fundamental principles:o The safety and wellbeing of staff involved in managing the dead from COVID-19 should be the utmost priority. |
| T19 |
2298-2581 |
Sentence |
denotes |
To this effect forensic best practices should always be informed by the advice and latest recommendations from national health authorities and international health organizations, especially the World Health Organization (WHO) [[3], [4]], for health personnel handling COVID-19 cases. |
| T20 |
2582-2776 |
Sentence |
denotes |
o The humanitarian imperative which should guide the proper management of the dead in any circumstance requires that the dignity of the deceased and of their next of kin be respected throughout. |
| T21 |
2777-2991 |
Sentence |
denotes |
o Every effort should be made to ensure the reliable identification of the dead, failing which their proper documentation and traceability are essential for making their future recovery and identification possible. |
| T22 |
2992-3289 |
Sentence |
denotes |
o The management of the dead from COVID-19 should not impede the medico legal investigation of death where required by the authorities (e.g. suspicious deaths, deaths in custody, etc.) but additional special health and safety precautions should be adopted for the necessary post-mortem procedures. |
| T23 |
3290-3623 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In view of the rapid evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, the novelty of the agent and the pace of new information arising from the knowledge gained about the virus, its effects and its control, the present guidance provides general recommendations and the necessary reference documentation, which are based on evidence learnt so far. |
| T24 |
3624-3923 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The measures required for effectively assisting in the management of the large numbers of dead from COVID-19 may likely need an increase of the human and material resources available, including for building local capacity and supporting and/or carrying out the recovery and identification processes. |
| T25 |
3924-4195 |
Sentence |
denotes |
This guidance should be read in conjunction with the general guidance for management of dead bodies previously developed by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/WHO, ICRC, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in 2016 [5]. |
| T26 |
4196-4406 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The general procedures to be followed when undertaking the recovery and identification of human remains of persons known or suspected to have died from COVID-19 are those outlined in Annex 6 of this Manual [5]. |
| T27 |
4407-4495 |
Sentence |
denotes |
However, this Annex was drafted for handling the dead from HG4 pathogens, such as Ebola. |
| T28 |
4496-4672 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Therefore, some of the guidance provided for in Annex 6 is excessive for COVID-19, including on the level of PPE and disinfection required as well as on the disposal of bodies. |
