The outbreak of coronavirus is clearly both a global and national emergency. Many people are suffering, not just from ill health but also from the economic impact as well as the effects of social distancing and isolation. The global death toll has currently passed 233,000 as confirmed cases have gone above 3.2 million. A total of 27,510 patients have died in in the UK after testing positive.
(The Guardian News – Friday 1 st May 2020.)
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic many people have already self-isolated. Older people and those with health conditions are particularly vulnerable. We have repurposed our current Eden Care team to offer telephone advice and befriending. We expect the demand for this service to increase as a result of Covid-19. We have a team of 50 volunteers who are readily available to offer this service.
We also anticipate the number of Covid-19 related deaths to increase in the Muslim community. The death rate of British BAME is more than twice that of the white population. The death rate among British black Africans and British Pakistanis from coronavirus in English hospitals is more than 2.5 times that of the white population. Deaths of people from a black Caribbean background were 1.7 times higher than for white Britons.
(Institute of Fiscal Studies – Friday 1 st May 2020)
The issue of personal protective equipment has never been far from the headlines. Similar to health care workers, funeral services and Muslim Cemeteries have been severely impacted with at least two local funeral services closing down for a short time as staff contracted Covid-19 and had to self-isolate.
What We Plan to Offer
Eden Care and Muslim Burial Fund offer the following support to those affected by Covid-19:
- Telephone helpline for advice and signposting for those impacted by Covid-19
- Telephone befriending support to those who are experiencing isolation
- Muslim Burial Planning for people who have lost their loved ones due to Covid-19
- Muslim Burial Support for those in need
- Protective equipment for those dealing with Covid-19 burials
