The presence of the coronavirus has been confirmed in a 70-year-old man from Bara who died on May 17.

“A 70-year-old man, who died on May 17 at the National Medical College in Birgunj, tested positive for Covid-19,” said Dr Bikas Devkota, spokesperson for the Health Ministry, at a regular press briefing. “With this, the number of people who've succumbed to the disease has reached four.”

The man had been admitted to the intensive care unit of the Birgunj-based National Medical College for tuberculosis and pneumonia.

According to Devkota, specimens from the man were collected on May 15 and tested at the Narayani Hospital's laboratory. The results, however, were doubtful.

More samples were collected on May 16 and examined on May 17, which again did not show clear results. The samples were then sent to the National Public Health Laboratory, which confirmed that the man was infected with Covid-19.

According to Madan Upadhyay, medical superintendent at Narayani Hospital, authorities have sealed the intensive care unit of National Medical College and all health care personnel who came in close contact with the deceased, his family members and others who handled the dead body have placed in quarantine.

"Tests will be performed on all their samples," he said.

So far, four deaths—a 25-year-old man from Banke, a 41-year-old man from Gulmi, a 29-year-old woman from Sindhupalchowk and 70-year-old man from Bara—have been linked to Covid-19. Of the cases, except for the deceased from Gulmi, the presence of the coronavirus was only confirmed after death.

As of Monday, 682 people have tested positive for Covid-19 including four deaths.

So far 112 people have recovered.