Health

Nepal’s toll reaches 79 with four more Covid-19 deaths; 338 new cases confirmed

Two men from Kathmandu and a woman each from Banke and Parsa succumb to the disease, according to the Ministry of Health. Nepal’s toll reaches 79 with four more Covid-19 deaths; 338 new cases confirmed

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Published at : August 10, 2020

Updated at : August 10, 2020 21:07

Kathmandu

Nepal on Monday reported four more deaths—two from Kathmandu and one each from Banke and Parsa districts—taking the national Covid-19 toll to 79.

According to the Ministry of Health, a 76-year-old man from Mid-Baneshwor, Kathmandu, who was undergoing treatment at the intensive care unit of Medicare Hospital, died on August 10.

“The victim was suffering from pneumonia, was diabetic and had high blood pressure,” said spokesperson Dr Jageshwor Gautam during a regular press briefing. “He was admitted at the hospital on August 7 after complaints of difficulty in breathing and body ache. His swab samples were collected on August 8 and the results came in today [Monday].”

Another man, a 64-year-old from Kirtipur, who was admitted at Medicity Hospital on July 15 and was undergoing treatment for pneumonia and septic shock, also died today.

“The deceased was a long-time kidney patient and had tested positive for coronavirus on July 20,” said Gautam.

The ministry also informed that a 70-year-old woman from Kohalpur Municipality in Banke, a paralytic who had blood pressure problems, died while undergoing treatment at Nepalgunj Medical College for pneumonia and septic shock, on August 9.

“She was admitted at the hospital on August 7 and her swab samples were collected on the same day while her results came positive on August 9,” said the ministry.

The fourth victim was a 45-year-old woman from Bediyahi Rural Municipality in Parsa district. She was admitted at Narayani Temporary Covid Hospital following complaints of difficulty in breathing and died while undergoing treatment on August 9.

“She had blood pressure-related ailments and hypothyroidism. The test on her swab samples, collected posthumously, came positive for Covid-19,” the ministry said.

The ministry also confirmed 338 new cases from the 8,432 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests performed in the past 24 hours, taking the national tally to 23,310.

Samples of 63 individuals from Banke, 36 from Kathmandu, 31 from Rautahat, 23 from Makwanpur, 22 from Parsa, 21 from Sarlahi, 17 from Dailekh, 15 each from Morang and Pyuthan ;13 from Dhanusa, 11 from Kapilvastu, seven each from Kailali and Salyan; six from Sindhuli, five from Dang, four each from Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and Nuwakot; three each from Mahottari, Bara and Gorkha; two each from Khotang, Bardiya, Kaski, Tanahun and Nawalparasi (East); one each from Jhapa, Sindhupalchok, Achham, Arghakhanchi, Baglung, Chitwan, Palpa, Ramechhap, Parbat, Syangja, Rupandehi, Rolpa, Surkhet, Baitadi and Bajhang tested positive.

Nepal, on Sunday, had reported two deaths and 380 new cases. On Saturday, the country had reported three more Covid-19-related deaths and 378 new cases. Five deaths and 464 new cases were recorded on Friday, while five deaths and 360 new cases were reported on Thursday. The country reported two deaths and 381 new cases on Wednesday, compared to one death and 259 new cases on Tuesday. On Monday, 418 new cases were detected.

The ministry said 16,493 individuals have made successful recoveries after being diagnosed with Covid-19. The ministry said 140 persons were discharged in the past 24 hours.

As many as 452,236 PCR tests have been performed in the country so far.

Six districts— Dhankuta, Sankhuwasabha, Manang, Mustang, Dolpa and Humla—don’t have any active cases, according to the ministry.

Track all Covid-19 cases in Nepal here.

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 territories around 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.