One more death from Covid-19 pushes Nepal’s toll to nine, alongside 201 new infections
A 76-year-old man from Dolakha, who had tested positive for Covid-19 and was admitted to the ICU at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, died on Wednesday.Shutterstock
Nepal reported one more Covid-19 death and 201 new cases on Wednesday, taking the national tally to 2,300.
According to the Health Ministry, a 76-year-old man from Dolakha, who had tested positive for Covid-19, had been admitted at the intensive care unit of the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital died. He died on Wednesday while undergoing treatment.
The man was first admitted to the Sinamangal-based Kathmandu Medical College for hemorrhagic stroke on May 26 and was shifted to the Teaching Hospital on May 28 after he was diagnosed with Covid-19, according to Dr Bikash Devkota, spokesperson for the Health Ministry.
An additional 201 people also tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday, pushing the total cases to 2,300, including nine deaths.
“Samples of 69 individuals from Kapilvastu, 27 from Rupandehi, 15 from Sarlahi, 11 from Rautahat, nine from Mahottari, eight from Nawalparasi (West), seven each from Sunsari, Parsa, Dailekh, Dang and Kalikot, three each from Taplejung, Kailali and Kathmandu, two each from Salyan, Doti, Morang, Palpa and Jhapa, and one each from Dhankuta, Saptari, Panchthar, Terathum, Sunsari, Salyan, Dhanusa and Sindhupalchok tested positive for the virus in various laboratories across the country,” said Devkota.
On Tuesday, Nepal had reported 288 cases, the highest in a single day, while 239 new cases were reported on Monday. There were 166 new cases and two new C0vid-19 deaths reported on Sunday.
According to the ministry, with cases confirmed in Taplejung, Terhathum and Panchthar, coronavirus infections have now been reported in 64 districts.
Kapilvastu has so far reported 406 cases, the highest for a district, followed by Rautahat with 323 cases while Banke has reported 213 cases.
Similarly, 146 cases have been reported in Sarlahi; Jhapa has recorded 115, Parsa has recorded 114 cases and Dailekh has so far reported 109 cases.
“So far, 80,267 polymerase chain reaction tests and 1,20,379 rapid diagnostic tests have been carried out across the country,” said Devkota.
According to Devkota, 278 people have been discharged from various hospitals after recovery.
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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