Coronavirus (COVID-19)—Deaths must be registered within five days

Article summary

The Care Quality Commission, General Medical Council and the Healthcare Improvement Scotland have released a joint statement regarding death certification during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. They stated that ‘deaths are still required by law to be registered within 5 days (in England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or 8 days (in Scotland) of their occurrence unless there is to be a coroner’s post-mortem or an inquest or, in Scotland, the death has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal.’ They went on to say the doctor issuing the medical certificate cause of death (MCCD) must say what they believe the cause of death to be, and where there is no positive coronavirus swab diagnosis ‘it is satisfactory to apply clinical judgement. Doctors are expected to state the cause of death to the best of their knowledge and belief, it is not required that the cause must be proven.’