The Battambang Provincial Administration has decided to set up a working group tasked with organising funeral services for deceased Covid-19 patients. Battambang has so far recorded 71 cases, with 41 receiving ongoing treatment and one death.

According to a directive signed by provincial governor Nguon Ratanak and seen by The Post on May 13, the working group would regularly examine corpses and assist with the cremation or burial of bodies.

Provincial Department of Information director Sous Sopheak told The Post on May 13 that the committee had decided to choose a cremation site for Buddhists and another site for Muslims in Ratanak Mondol district.

“We have already prepared crematoriums near a mountain in Ratanak Mondol district. We have also prepared a Muslim cemetery in the district,” he said.

The group must also maintain preventative health measures as services would be held according to traditions and ashes returned to families. The group would also be trained for the work.

Other provinces, such as Banteay Meanchey, Kampong Cham and Tbong Khmum, have also set up a similar working group.

On May 13, the Battambang provincial authorities said the first Covid-19 fatality in the province was a 67-year-old Nepalese man who succumbed to the disease while undergoing treatment at the provincial referral hospital. The province has recorded 71 cases, including 41 active cases.