‘Test, test, test’ even after death: persistence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in postmortem nasopharyngeal swabs

Correspondence to Dr Kate El Bouzidi, South London Specialist Virology Centre, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London SE5 9RS, UK; k.elbouzidi@nhs.net Over 57 00 deaths have been attributed to COVID-19 in the UK.1–3 It is feared that the true figure is higher as there were over 16 000 ‘excess’ deaths between March and June 2020 in which COVID-19 was not a certified cause.1 4–6 Non-COVID causes, possibly related to the lockdown, would have accounted for some of this difference. Incomplete mortality data underestimate the burden of disease, particularly in high-risk groups who may not seek medical care. Postmortem confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 infection would further our understanding of the pathogenesis of this novel disease and assist pathologists and coroners in determining the probable cause of death, as well as the need for an autopsy.8 Deaths reported to the London Inner South coroner this year exceeded those in 2019 by 45% in January, 104% in February, 39% in March and 49% in April.