FUNERAL directors are being asked to supply their own body bags when collecting the corpses of patients infected with Covid-19 because of a shortage within the NHS.

One funeral director, who asked not to be named, said the firm had been left with “little resources” to protect employees from contracting the virus.

An email sent out to funeral directors, seen by the Gazette, said East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust is following strict guidance from Public Health England.

It said: “This [guidance] states that a body bag is not required.

“Although this is in direct conflict with the Health and Safety Executive and World Health Organisation guidance, I have been told this is what the Trust is applying.”

It adds: “I suspect this will cause some concern amongst you.

“A body bag is a great way to prevent contamination of surfaces and equipment and reduce the risk of staff inhaling air and droplets being expelled from the patient when lifting.

“Please be reminded the risk from the deceased is significantly lower than from the living.

“Funeral directors are advised to bring their own body bag if they wish to have a patient placed into one before removal.”

The worried funeral director said: “This places us in the firing line of catching the virus and thus spreading it further.

“As it is, we are already in the firing line of dealing with families.

“We are not being given personal protective equipment by the Government and have little resources to protect ourselves as stocks are running low for us too. We are key workers too.”

The email exchange also revealed Colchester Hospital is struggling to obtain body bags, with supplies soon to be handed out to wards on a “need to have” basis.

Wards will first be asked to pool their supply of body bags.

A spokesperson for the trust said: “We completely appreciate the concern being expressed, but we would like to reassure everyone that we are clarifying and following all the national guidance on this issue.”