The lack of understanding and the space for rumors had removed the space for humanity in Chennai as the last rites of the doctor, who died due to Coronavirus, had gone through more struggle after the local residents objected the burial based on the prevailing rumors of what has been overruling the facts on the spread of the pandemic.

A 55-year-old neurosurgeon and Managing Director of New Hope Hospital in Chennai had succumbed to the virus on Sunday becoming the first doctor in the state to demise due to the pandemic. According to the reports, he has likely contracted the virus from the patient and he started developing symptoms in early April following which he was admitted to Apollo Hospital, Vanagaram in the city. He was kept under the ventilator support. However, he was declared dead on Sunday at 6.15 pm.

The reports say that the body of the deceased was handed over to the family at 9 pm on Sunday after which they decided to bury him. The deceased doctor's friend had accompanied the family members in the ambulance along with the corporation officials as they transported the body to the burial ground in TB Chatram in Kilpauk during which the family members were told that the people had assembled at the site to stop the burial with accord to the rumors, which said that the burial of the COVID-19 victim would further spread the virus.

The information of the people gathering had let the ambulance to take an alternative route to reach the burial ground where the excavator had prepared a six feet deep grave. As quoted by The News Minute, the friend of the deceased doctor said that the group of 50-60 people had assembled at the burial ground and started beating them with the wooden logs and throwing stones. The people had damaged the ambulance and harmed the drivers, doctors, and corporation officials leaving the officials to flee the spot. 

According to the police, the residents were told by the local civic workers about the burial that had spurred and brought the rumor to the light that the burial could spread the virus in the locality following which they gathered to protest. One of the doctors said that they were forced to flee the spot and the body was kept there. The News Minute further stated that Dr. Pradeep, the friend of the deceased had somehow managed to recover the body and put into the ambulance and moved from the spot with the help of two ambulance drivers who were already bleeding.

Again, the doctor and the team went back to the burial ground at 11 pm to bury the deceased physician. The police inspector who was present had aided in digging more feet beneath the ground and the body was buried with mud with the help of the hands. The deceased doctor had helped hundreds of patients throughout his lifetime and he was a person who put humanity first. Dr. Pradeep said that the deceased was a doctor, the Managing director of the hospital, and a philanthropist. He didn't deserve this end. The reports stated that the police had arrested 20 people for attacking the corporation staff and opposing the burial. Tamil Nadu Health Secretary Beela Rajesh had saluted the deceased doctor for his exemplary service in the fight against Covid19.

Saluatations to Dr. Simon Hercules for his exemplary service in the fight against Covid19. Let us stand by each and every healthcare worker, they are the real heroes.

— Dr Beela Rajesh IAS (@DrBeelaIAS) April 20, 2020

This has been the second such incident in Chennai where earlier this month, the people in Ambattur protested against the burial of the Nellore based doctor who died due to the virus in the locality. The people who celebrated the services of the doctors and frontline workers when they are alive had turned against them when it comes to paying last respect for the deceased frontline workers. Dr. Bhagyaraj, who was also the friend of the deceased doctor has put out the video in which he asked 'Is this the fate of doctors who die of Coronavirus?