Nepal confirmed its 39th Covid-19 related death and 116 new cases on Wednesday as the national tally reached 17,177.
“A 36-year-old man from Paroha Municipality in Rautahat district died of the disease at 2:30 pm today, taking the toll to 39,” said Dr Jageshwor Gautam, spokesperson for the Health Ministry, during a daily press briefing.
“He and his family members had gone to attend the final rites of his brother who had died of Covid-19 in Bangalore, India. Upon returning on July 8, he stayed at the quarantine facility in Paroha. He was admitted to the ICU of Narayani Hospital in Birgunj on July 13 after complaining of breathing difficulties, fever and cough and cold. His swab sample taken on the same day and tested at a lab in Hetauda came back positive today,” Dr Gautam added. “He had been receiving treatment with ventilator support when he died today.”
According to the ministry, 697 individuals were discharged in the past 24 hours. A total of 11,025 people, or 64.2 percent of total cases, have been discharged so far, said Gautam.
“Samples of 28 individuals from Surkhet, 13 from Saptari, 11 from Nawalparasi (East), nine from Myagdi, eight from Chitwan, seven from Kathmandu, six from Dhanusha, five each from Rautahat and Salyan, three each from Kaski, Tanahun, Dadeldhura and Jumla and one each from Achham, Dhading, Dhankuta, Gorkha, Jajarkot, Morang, Mugu, Nuwakot, Palpa, Sindhupalchok and Taplejung tested positive,” Dr Gautam said about the new cases.
“Four districts—Bhojpur, Mustang, Manang and Humla—don’t have any active cases,” Gautam added.
The ministry said 5,090 PCR tests were carried out across the country in the last 24 hours. The total number of PCR tests performed so far has reached 298,829.
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.
14.12°C Kathmandu
