Malkangiri: The wife of a dead COVID-19 patient had to light the funeral pyre as she did not receive any cooperation from relatives and locals in the area. This incident took place at Mandapali village under Mathili block in Malkangiri district. The deceased Krushna Chandra Nayak breathed his last Thursday evening. The incident once more illustrates the ignorance of the people in dealing with the COVID-19 infected people.
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The deceased had been working as block education officer (BEO) under Lamataput block in Koraput district. Before contracting the COVID-19 virus Krushna had other comorbidities like high blood pressure and diabetes. He was admitted to a COVID-19 facility in Jeypore after complications developed due to the comorbidities.
During routine testing Krushna was found to be COVID-19 positive. After his condition deteriorated a decision was taken to shift him to Visakhapatnam. However he died en route to Visakhapatnam. His body was then brought back to his native place – Mandapali village in Malkangiri district.
As he was a COVID-19 infected person, co-villagers and relatives did not cooperate in cremation of the deceased. They simply refused to help the bereaved wife and stayed away from the family. Finding no other way, wife Pushpa cremated her husband’s body as per tribal rituals, by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) kit.
The incident just goes to show the stigma which still remains in the minds of the people regarding coronavirus. In spite of constant awareness programmes on social media platforms and on the phone, people still want to stay away from families affected by coronavirus.
PNN
