Illinois Coronavirus: Coroners Brace For Impact

CHICAGO, IL — As the coronavirus epidemic worsens, the state's coroners are preparing for the possibility of receiving more bodies than they have room to handle, ABC7 reports.

The state's 101 county coroners and the one medical examiner, in Cook County, took part in a conference call this week to discuss the possible impact of the new coronavirus, according to the TV station.

"A local case surge could be hundreds of cases, thousands of cases," Cook County Chief Medical Examiner Ponni Arunkumar told ABC7. "We need to be prepared for it."

During the 1995 heat wave, when 739 people died over five days, the medical examiner's office used refrigerated trailers for the large number of bodies.

Cook County's morgue fits 285 bodies, and about 75 percent of that space is being used now, Cook County spokeswoman Natalia Derevyanny told Patch. The county has about 30 additional spaces in a refrigerated trailer, she said.

"We're working to get more warehouse space if needed," Derevyanny said.

Asked by ABC7 about the worst-case scenario, Arunkuma said, "A lot more deaths than an office can handle. But you know, we need to be prepared for any eventuality wherever. We are looking at more storage space, for example, not just our trailers …."

In an interview with Patch, DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen said his agency has the ability to store 60 bodies in its morgue. About 10 percent of that space is typically used, he said.

"We have worked very hard in our office to be prepared for a mass disaster, especially with O'Hare near us and so many trains running through the county," Jorgensen said. "We have worked hard on developing a mass disaster plan and having the capacity to handle things, hoping we never have to use the plan."

Read more:

Coronavirus In Illinois March 25 Update: 911 Calls Down

Don't miss coronavirus as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.