Dyadic Deaths - Repercussion of COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Of late we are going through the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in a lot of stress not only on health care workers but also on the general population. Social isolation and loss of jobs contributing to financial and mental crisis because of COVID-19 pandemic have been well proven by recent studies. This is known to be associated with distress, anxiety, and fear of contagion amongst the general population. The most extreme consequence of mental instability can result in suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, and actual suicide. Dyadic death is the simultaneous deaths of two people, either as part of a pact, or desire to accompany the death of the first person without any agreement or as part of a homicide-suicide without the consent of the victim. Here we present two cases of dyadic deaths during the period of lockdown of COVID-19. In 1 case, the mother and her daughter were found in a hanging position resulting from the financial crisis and domestic disharmony, while 2nd case was amongst a family of four consisting of husband, wife, and their two kids who were also found hanged position following financial crisis brought by the lockdown. This explains the extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the development of mental instability. The existing health care facilities are primarily focussing and prioritizing on treating the physical ailments whereas the psychological effects on the general population have mostly remained untouched barring a few exceptions. To prevent such type of tragic incidents timely, appropriate and relevant public health care measures should be adopted.