The Pulaski County Coroner’s Office is preparing for the possibility of COVID-19 deaths. Coroner Jon Frain and County Health Officer Dr. Rex Allman recently issued some guidance for entities that may have to handle the remains of COVID-19 patients.
They note that a COVID-19 death is not in and of itself a coroner’s case, and that the death certificate may be completed by the attending physician, in many cases. All COVID-19 deaths must be reported to the Pulaski County Health Department immediately.
Additionally, the remains of COVID-19 patients may not be released to an organ procurement organization until further notice. Frain and Allman also shared some guidelines about how the remains should be handled by health care facilities and funeral homes, to try to protect patients and staff members.
During state officials’ COVID-19 press conference Wednesday, Indiana Department of Homeland Security Executive Director Steve Cox said the state’s been in direct contact with the Indiana Funeral Directors Association, coroners, and others to make sure Indiana can handle a potential surge in deaths
