The 41-year-old and his friend went swimming in the sea. Sixteen hours later, a body was found stuck between the rocks. Scientists took a long time to look after the deceased. For almost six weeks after his death, he was still tested positive for COVID-19, of which he received a total of 28.
The tragedy happened in Italy in 2021. The 41-year-old Ukrainian decided to swim in the sea, despite unfavorable weather conditions. He drowned. Before his death, he had no symptoms COVID-19 and possibly had a low viral load (viruses in the blood that can multiply — ed.). The male case team published their study in the “BMC Journal of Medical Case Reports”.
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Each sample tested twice
Although it was confirmed that his death was caused by drowning, Italian guidelines required a COVID-19 test. After examination and autopsy, the body was transferred to the local morgue. Due to the long waiting time for the burial, the body remained there for 41 days.
In the description of the study, we read that at that time, 28 samples were collected from the corpse with a long swab inserted into the nose for testing for COVID-19. To be sure, the team tested each sample twice, using preparations from different suppliers. Each of them turned out to be positive.
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The virus was detected in the man’s body six weeks after his death and after all, it was also the only detectable molecule — the tests no longer even showed human RNA. Ultimately, the scientists had to complete the tests because the body was already in a state of decay.
As emphasized by the authors of the study, although we already know a lot about the behavior of the coronavirus in living organisms, we know little about the behavior of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the dead.
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