Thursday, May 05, 2022

Elderly Shanghai patient mistaken for dead, discovered alive by morgue workers

The incident comes at a time of high tension in Shanghai, where 26 million people grow increasingly angry with harsh COVID lockdowns

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A care centre for elderly Chinese patients in Shanghai has apologized after a man in its care was mistaken for dead and was being transported to the morgue in a yellow body bag.

Media reports say the patient was discovered to still be alive by morgue workers, who alerted staff at the Shanghai Xinchangzheng welfare hospital.

A video widely circulating on Chinese social media showed the moment two morgue workers realized the patient was still alive and alerting staff at the hospital. An account in South China Morning Post says the men, in protective clothing, can be seen unzipping the bag in front of an employee from the facility and inisisting the person is still alive.

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The staff member then checks for signs of life and reseals the bag, against the protests of bystanders fearing the patient will suffocate, the SCMP reports. The staff member then deliberates with two people in white hazmat suits before the patient is wheeled back into the hospital.

According to Chinese broadcaster CCTV, an investigation is underway with severe punishments in order for those responsible.

The incident comes at a time of high tension in China’s commercial capital of Shanghai, where 26 million people grow increasingly angry with harsh COVID lockdowns imposed on March 28. Some residents are sealed inside fenced-off residential compounds and many are struggling for daily necessities.

On Monday, China authorities reported 58 new COVID-19 cases outside areas under strict lockdown, while Beijing pressed on with testing millions of people on a May Day holiday few were celebrating.

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