KOTA KINABALU: Undertakers, especially those involved in dealing with Covid-19 related deaths, are working back to back with little time to rest, following the increasing number of Covid-19 related deaths in Sabah.

       Yunizam Yusop, who runs a free hearse service in Sandakan, said his team handled three to four cases on average per day, but there had been instances where they had to take 10 cases in just one day.

       “Due to the standard operating procedures set by the Health Department, we are among the only ones who are allowed to take Covid-19 related death cases that do not involve cremations,” said the 33-year-old.

       “But we have to persevere no matter how tired we are so that we will be able to help our frontliners,” he said.

       Yunizam said he has a team of 10 trained and designated staffers to carry out the burials.

       Now seven of them, including himself, have tested positive for Covid-19, and are eight days into their quarantine.

       Though he feels fortunate that their symptoms from the virus are not as serious, he keeps praying and doing all he can to make sure he recovers properly by taking advice of doctors and nurses.

       Yunizam said the handling of Covid-19 deaths and burials are being managed by the rest of his team with the help from Sandakan health officials and Civil Defence officials.

       Meanwhile, the 3M Popular Undertakers in Penampang too have been continuously dealing with Covid-19 related deaths since the pandemic hit last year, more so with the increasing deaths recently.

       Its owner Datuk Protasius J Mukiau said they are specially trained and equipped to deal with Covid-19 deaths.

       “My son and his team have been dealing with these cases and they have been very busy.

       “Even as we speak, they are at the mortuary handling three burial arrangements,” he said.

       Though busy, he added, it is what they do and of course, will carry out their duties the best they can.

       His son Walter Ryan, 35, described dealing with Covid-19 cases as more complicated and difficult, as they have to put on full PPE while they are at work.

       He said there was also a whole different set of protocols to adhere to, to prevent themselves and others from possibly contracting the virus.

       Sabah recorded 46 deaths on Aug 29, 17 deaths on Aug 28, a total of 41 fatalities on Aug 27, 26 deaths on Aug 26, 23 deaths on Aug 25, 17 on Aug 24, and 25 deaths on Aug 23.