Funeral directors and coroners right now say they aren't worried about being overwhelmed by virus-related fatalities, even as confirmed deaths statewide climbed to 309 deaths on Tuesday, including 35 in the Miami Valley.
The state has significantly reduced its forecast for the number of Ohioans it projects will contract the virus in coming days and weeks, saying the stay-at-home order and social distancing measures are working to contain the spread of infection.
“The good news is we’re staying flat,” said Dr. Amy Acton, director of health for the Ohio Department of Health on Monday.
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The CDC says there are no known health risks to being in the same room at a funeral or visitation service with the body of someone who died of COVID-19.
The virus likely spreads through droplets that are produced when people cough or sneeze, the agency said, and this kind of spread is not a concern after death.
But the virus can lurk on surfaces, and the CDC recommends that people don’t touch, kiss, wash, hug or shroud the dead bodies.
According to the CDC, if those activities are important parts of cultural or religious ceremonies, people should wear gloves and possibly goggles and other protective equipment.
Funeral directors have received special training to handle all forms of infectious diseases, and the CDC has instructed directors and their staff to use normal procedures and universal precautions when handling and preparing the bodies of people who have died from the coronavirus, said Gary Burr, president of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association.
Burr said the best way to deal with the growing number of deaths from the pandemic is to have cremations and burials without a long delay.
But Burr also said, “There may be localized challenges in different areas of Ohio based on larger numbers of deaths concentrated in a cluster, especially if it were to happen in a smaller town.”
Funeral homes have modified services and changed policies for safety reasons.
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Jackson Lytle & Lewis Life Celebration Center in Springfield has put Xs on the floor to show where people should stand at safe social distances.
Visitors at the center are being instructed to stay in their cars until others have left. The center also is live streaming and video recording services that people can share electronically to avoid crowding.
Jackson Lytle & Lewis says it has worked with the Clark County Combined Health District on measures to keep families safe.
“Our staff remains vigilant about cleaning our facilities and ensuring we’re all following recommended healthy habits, such as working remotely, staying home if sick, washing our hands, and covering coughs and sneezes,” said Frank Lewis, owner of Jackson Lytle & Lewis Life Celebration Center.
Lewis said he’s not overly concerned about an overwhelming surge of COVID-19 deaths because state data indicates Ohio has done a good job of containing the virus’ spread and projections of coronavirus cases and fatalities thankfully have been revised downward.
He said his funeral home has the capacity to handle some increase in deaths, but a massive spike would put a strain on everyone in his industry.
Larry Glickler, owner of Glickler Funeral Home & Cremation Service, said his funeral home has handled three confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far.
Glickler funeral home on average serves 50 to 60 or more families each month and normally has the capacity to handle eight bodies in its preparation room.
But Glickler said he has taken steps to double or triple that number if needed on a holding basis.
“We are prepared, if necessary, but that’s something I hope that does not come to fruition,” he said.
Hospitals and coroners have morgue facilities that can hold bodies, but when people die at home, hospice or nursing facilities, their bodies need to be taken right away to the funeral home, Glickler said.
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The number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths is growing but still remains fairly small in the region, compared to overall death counts from all causes.
Ohio health department data on Tuesday showed 19 confirmed deaths in Miami County, eight in Montgomery County, three in Warren County, two in both Butler and Greene counties, and one in Champaign County. Clark County has no confirmed deaths.
More than 16,800 people died in Butler, Champaign, Clark, Greene, Miami, Montgomery and Warren counties last year, or about 46 people per day, according to preliminary data from the Ohio Department of Health.
Most COVID-19 cases will not come to coroners’ offices, because they are natural deaths that are handled by funeral homes working with the next of kin, said David Corey, executive director of the Ohio State Coroners Association.
But due to the pandemic, coroners’ staff are using N95 masks more quickly when they respond to the scene of a death, and they are abiding by social distancing guidelines and providing surgical masks to subjects during interviews if they are ill or coughing, Corey said.
Like other coroners, Montgomery County Coroner Kent Harshbarger said his office is not autopsying COVID-19 patients, most of whom come from outside of his jurisdiction.
Harshbarger’s office has handled about 12 to 14 potential COVID-19 cases, but only about two confirmed cases.
He said his office only has about two coronavirus testing kits remaining and does not expect to get more.
Harshbarger’s office is going to buy a CT scanner because of the outbreak that can do 3-D views and will in some cases eliminate the need for autopsy, which will help protect employees.
Staff now fully use N95 masks and dissection is being limited, Harshbarger said.
Droplets that spread the virus require aerosolization, like through coughing, and dead bodies do not expel droplets unless moved. So coroner’s personnel cover the nose and mouth during transport and cover the head inside the remains pouch, Harshbarger said.
Harshbarger said the morgue area is being sanitized every shift, including office space, phones and door knobs.
In Greene County, Coroner Kevin Sharrett said his office will assist local funeral homes if the need arises to store bodies on a temporary basis.
“We are currently planning for the worst but praying for the best,” he said.
Butler County Coroner Administrator Martin Schneider said his office is working closely with community partners in preparation for a possible surge in COVID-19 deaths.
“We remain hopeful that we will not see an overwhelming number of fatal cases, but we are leaving nothing to chance and ensuring the county is prepared,” he said.
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