Infective SARS-CoV-2 in Skull Sawdust at Autopsy, Finland
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|July 23, 2024
Abstract:
We assessed the distribution of SARS-CoV-2 at autopsy in 22 deceased persons with confirmed COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 was found by PCR (2/22, 9.1%) and by culture (1/22, 4.5%) in skull sawdust, suggesting that live virus is present in tissues postmortem, including bone. Occupational exposure risk is low with appropriate personal protective equipment.


