Continuation Of The COVID-19 Pandemic Marked With The Death Of Half A Million People

Photo illustration (Macau Photo Agency / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The death toll from COVID-19 exceeds half a million people. A grim milestone for a global pandemic that appears to be resurgent in some countries, as other regions are still grappling with the first wave.

Respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus is said to be dangerous, especially for the elderly. Meanwhile, the overall death rate has been flat in recent weeks. Health experts have expressed concern over the record number of new cases in countries such as the United States (US), India and Brazil, as well as new outbreaks in several countries in Asia.

More than 4,700 people die every 24 hours from COVID-19-related illnesses, based on the average from June 1 to 27. This equates to 196 people per hour or one person every 18 seconds.

About a quarter of all deaths so far have been in the US, according to Reuters on Monday, June 29. The most recent spike in cases has been in some of the southern and western states that reopened early. US officials, on Sunday, June 28, reported about 44,700 new cases and 508 additional deaths.

The number of cases has also increased rapidly in Latin America, surpassing the number in Europe. This makes Latin America the region most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic after North America.

Meanwhile, in other parts of the country, namely Australia, the government is considering re-implementing physical distancing measures in several regions. This was done after there were reports of the largest increase in the number of cases in more than two months.

In just five months the death toll from COVID-19 has surpassed the number of people who die each year from malaria, one of the world's deadliest diseases. The death rate averages 78,000 per month, compared to 64,000 deaths from AIDS and 36,000 deaths from malaria, according to 2018 figures from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Change in burial rules

The high number of deaths has led to changes to traditional burial rites and religions around the world. The morgue and funeral business was overwhelmed. Relatives are prohibited from conducting private separation ceremonies.

In Israel, it is not permissible to wash the body which is a common practice for Muslims. Instead of being wrapped in cloth, the bodies should be wrapped in plastic body bags. The Jewish Shiva tradition, whereby people go to the house of a bereaved relative for seven days is also prohibited.

In Italy, Catholics are buried without the blessing of a religious leader. Meanwhile, in New York, the city's crematorium was working overtime, burning bodies into the night as officials also searched for temporary burial sites.

In Iraq, former militias use their weapons to dig graves for victims of COVID-19 in special burial areas. They have learned how to conduct burials for Christians and Muslims.