#Risk #assessment of #SARS-CoV-2 #infection from external #surfaces and biological samples of #COVID19 corpses
Highlights • Infectious SARS-CoV-2 were detected in nasopharynx and on the surface of corpses • Viral load and symptom-to-discovery time are linked to viral infectivity • Infectious viruses were not found in the body fluids • Our findings highlight strict infection control for COVID-19 corpse handling Abstract Objectives The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in millions of deaths worldwide . However, the risk of transmission from COVID-19 corpses remain unclear, posing challenges for forensic medicine in establishing effective infection control measures during autopsies . This study aimed to investigate the presence of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in corpses and identify factors affecting viral infectivity. Methods External examinations of 76 corpses with COVID-19 were performed, and nasopharyngeal, perioral, hand swabs, serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and urine samples were collected. Viral RNA was quantified by using digital PCR, and infectious viruses were as...