Health

Oakland Adds Refrigerated Trailers for Bodies; Might Use Ice Rinks

April 15, 2020, 1:40 PM by  Allan Lengel


(Photo: DepositPhotos)

The Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office has set up two refrigerated trucks on its Pontiac property to store bodies as hospitals run out of storage space. At same time, the county has drafted a plan to use ice rinks, if necessary.   

As of Wednesday morning, 10 Covid fatalities were in the tractor-trailers that are 8 by 20 feet, according to the county.

The county hopes it won't have to store bodies in ice rinks. There are rinks in cities including Oak Park, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Royal Oak, Rochester, Hazel Park and Troy.  

Casimir Miarka, administrator for the Medicial Examiner's Office, said the county has had discussions with two ice rinks and is trying to acquire more refrigerated units.

The first two units arrived last Friday and the first bodies came Wednesday, he said.

Oakland County spokesman Bill Mullan tells Deadline Detroit that the latest development is evidence "this if far from over."

Related:

Covid Stresses Metro Detroit Funeral Homes and Mourners with Hasty, Sparse Farewells



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