Nepal’s Covid-19 tally has reached 82 with seven new cases reported in Nepalgunj, Banke.
The Health Ministry said on Tuesday that three men and four women from Banke have tested positive for Covid-19.
“Samples tested at the Bheri Hospital laboratory confirmed Covid-19 in the patients,” said the ministry in a statement.
The total number of Covid-19 cases in Banke now has reached 23, making the district to have reported the highest number of coronavirus cases after Udayapur.
Earlier on Sunday, 15 people in Banke had tested positive for Covid-19 as Nepal recorded its highest daily increase in the coronavirus cases.
“The women who have tested positive for Covid-19 are aged nine, 32, 24, 55,” said the ministry. “The men are aged 22, 30 and 40.”
All of them are from Nepalgunj Ward No. 8
The ministry said the health condition of all the patients is normal and they are under the observation of health workers.
Currently, the number of active Covid-19 cases is 66, as 16 patients have already returned home after recovery. Nepal’s first Covid-19 case was detected in January.
The number of cases started to rise only in the recent weeks. Nepal, however, has not reported any deaths due to the virus.
The government has imposed a nationwide lockdown since March 24 to contain the spread of the virus. The high level committee for the control and prevention of Covid-19 is holding a meeting later on Tuesday to decide on whether to extend the ongoing lockdown which is applicable until Thursday, May 7.
With the detection of new cases, prohibitory orders have been issued in Nepalgunj to enforce the lockdown strictly. According to the Health Ministry, contact tracing and testing have been expanded.
Frequently asked questions about the coronavirus outbreak
UPDATED as of September 22, 2020
What is Covid-19? Covid-19, short for coronavirus disease, is an illness caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, short for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Common symptoms of the disease include fever, dry cough, fatigue, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
How contagious is Covid-19? Covid-19 can spread easily from person to person, especially in enclosed spaces. The virus can travel through the air in respiratory droplets produced when a sick person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes. As the virus can also survive on plastic and steel surfaces for up to 72 hours and on cardboard for up to 24 hours, any contact with such surfaces can also spread the virus. Symptoms take between two to 14 days to appear, during which time the carrier is believed to be contagious.
Where did the virus come from? The virus was first identified in Wuhan, China in late December. The coronavirus is a large family of viruses that is responsible for everything from the common cold to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). After an initial outbreak in Wuhan that spread across Hubei province, eventually infecting over 80,000 and killing more than 3,000, new infection rates in mainland China have dropped. However, the disease has since spread across the world at an alarming rate.
What is the current status of Covid-19?
The World Health Organisation has called the ongoing outbreak a “pandemic” and urged countries across the world to take precautionary measures. Covid-19 has spread to 213 countries and territoriesaround the world and infected more than 31,405,983 people with 967,505 deaths and 22,990,260 recoveries. In South Asia, India has reported the highest number of infections at 5,557,573 with 88,943 deaths. While Pakistan has reported 306,304 confirmed cases with 6,420 deaths. Nepal has so far reported 65,276 cases with 427 deaths.
How dangerous is the disease?
The mortality rate for Covid-19 is estimated to be 3.6 percent, but new studies have put the rate slightly higher at 5.7 percent. Although Covid-19 is not too dangerous to young healthy people, older individuals and those with immune-compromised systems are at greater risk of death. People with chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease, or those who’ve recently undergone serious medical procedures, are also at risk.
How do I keep myself safe? The WHO advises that the most important thing you can do is wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizers with at least 60 percent alcohol content. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unclean hands. Clean and disinfect frequently used surfaces like your computers and phones. Avoid large crowds of people. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist for longer than a few days.
Is it time to panic?
No. The government has imposed a lockdown to limit the spread of the virus. There is no need to begin stockpiling food, cooking gas or hand sanitizers. However, it is always prudent to take sensible precautions like the ones identified above.
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