Autopsy reports show that George Floyd was infected with coronavirus

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• The post mortem report of George Floyd indicated that the African-American was positive with COVID-19.
• The coronavirus infection, though, was not a major factor for Floyd’s death, citing that cardiac arrest, underlying medical conditions, and an external force were reasons.
• The murder of Floyd has ignited protests against police brutality across the nation, and demonstrators overseas were also held for a similar cause.

George Floyd, whose death under the custody of Minneapolis police officers ignited a worldwide uproar over racial discrimination by American law enforcement, was tested positive for COVID-19 as indicated by an autopsy analysis.

The diagnosis, however, was not considered as a factor over his passing.

As written on the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office’s 20-page report published Wednesday, Floyd’s official reason for death was cardiac arrest, while police officers restrained Floyd on May 25.

The coroner concluded that Floyd’s death was a homicide. Following the incident which was captured in a video, four Minneapolis police officers were sacked from their posts for their involvement in the death of Floyd. 

Currently, the four officers are detained for criminal charges, and of them charged with murder.

The footage showed police officer, Derek Chauvin,  using his knee to pin Floyd’s neck into the ground for almost nine minutes. The 46-year-old victim had repeatedly complained that he couldn’t breathe.

In just a few moments, Floyd was pronounced dead at a hospital where he was taken.  

The video was shared multiple times online, and it led to nine days of countrywide protest and civil unrest.

Protesters from other countries such as New Zealand and Germany have also voiced their concerns to the streets.

The autopsy report, stating cardiac or cardiopulmonary arrest as the main reason for Floyd’s death, also noted other contributing factors such as dominance, control, and neck compression by the police.

The analysis also cited several other aspects that led to Floyd’s death, including high blood pressure, heart disease, intoxication from opioid fentanyl, and traces of recent methamphetamine use.

The report also mentioned that a nasal swab sample taken from Floyd’s body was tested positive with COVID-19. The result also mirrors the April 3 coronavirus positive result that Floyd got, which was eight weeks before his demise.

Hennepin County Medical chief examiner, Dr. Andrew Baker, wrote on the autopsy report that the infection was potentially asymptomatic, but noted that it was persistent. He added that there was no sign the coronavirus was a significant factor with the death of Floyd.

Meanwhile, Dr. Michael Baden, one of two examiners who did a private autopsy through Floyd’s family’s preference, told the New York Times that county health authorities never mentioned to him that the 46-year old had tested positive for coronavirus.

Source: AOL