Nepal reports 8 deaths, highest daily Covid-19 toll so far
Two persons from Dhanusha and one each from Kathmandu, Dhading, Saptari, Morang, Kapilvastu and Bara are the latest victims, Health Ministry says.Shutterstock
Nepal on Wednesday recorded eight Covid-19-related deaths, the highest single day toll so far, as the total deaths reached 91. There were also 484 new cases confirmed as the total infections reached 24,432.
Health Ministry spokesperson Dr Jageshwor Gautam said two persons from Dhanusha and one each from Kathmandu, Dhading, Saptari, Morang, Kapilvastu and Bara died from Covid-19-related conditions.
Gautam said a 71-year-old man from Janakpur Sub-metropolitan City in Dhanusha district died at Medicity Hospital in the Capital on Wednesday. He was admitted to the hospital on July 20 with pneumonia and breathing-related problems. His swab sample tested positive on July 22.
Another person from Janakpur, a 38-year-old woman from ward 8 of the sub-metropolis, died in Patan Hospital on Wednesday. She was suffering from encephalitis and was referred to the hospital from Alka Hospital on August 2 after her infection was confirmed the same day.
A 78-year-old woman from Teku, Kathmandu, died in Kist Medical College Teaching Hospital on Wednesday. She was admitted to the intensive care unit on August 10 for the treatment of fever and diarrhoea. She was referred to Kist Hospital from Patan Hospital. The patient of multiple illnesses including high blood pressure, diabetes, hypothyroidism, septic shock and kidney problems was diagnosed with Covid-19 the same day.
According to the ministry, a 32-year-old man from Nilkantha Municipality ward 14 in Dhading died at Hams Hospital on Tuesday. A tuberculosis patient, he was admitted to the hospital where he received ventilator support after complications caused by pneumonia, cough and breathing-related problems.
A 72-year-old man from Dakneshwori Municipality ward 8 in Saptari died on Tuesday night. His swab taken four days ago after high fever tested positive on Tuesday. He died while being taken to hospital in an ambulance. He had thyroid, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart ailments.
Dr Gautam said the sixth victim, a 55-year-old man from Budiganga Rural Municipality ward 2 in Morang, died on Wednesday at the Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences. He was first taken to Koshi Hospital on August 10 with fever and respiratory problems. His swab sample taken on Tuesday tested positive the same day.
A 42-year-old man from Taulihawa in Kapilvastu Municipality died on Wednesday morning. He was put on a ventilator at the Butwal-based Corona Special Hospital for pneumonia and high fever on August 9. He tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday.
The eighth victim, a 75-year-old man from Kalaiya sub-metropolitan city in Bara, died on Wednesday at Kist Medical Hospital. He was hospitalised on August 10 after weakness and dizziness. He also had anaemia, asthma, hypothyroidism, septic shock and kidney problems. He tested positive on Wednesday.
The ministry also confirmed 484 new cases from 10,481 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests performed in the past 24 hours, taking the national tally to 24,432.
Samples of 109 individuals from Kathmandu, 48 from Morang, 44 from Mahottari, 39 from Dhanusha, 24 from Rautahat, 21 from Lalitpur, 18 from Surkhet, 15 each from Bara, Chitwan and Sunsari, 14 from Makwanpur, 13 from Kaski, 10 each from Jhapa and Siraha, eight each from Bhaktapur and Rupandehi, six each from Sarlahi and Syangja, five each from Darchula, Kavrepalchok and Saptari, four from Dailekh, three each from Argakhanchi,Kailali, Kanchanpur and Parsa, two each from Baitadi, Dhading, Dolakha, Doti, Gorkha, Nuwakot, Rukum (East), Sindhuli and Tanahun and one each from Banke, Dang, Ilam, Jajarkot, Kapilvastu, Khotang, Okhaldhunga, Palpa, Ramechhap, Rukum (West), Salyan and Taplejung tested positive for the virus.
The ministry said 16,728, or 68.4 percent, individuals have made successful recoveries after being diagnosed with Covid-19. The ministry said 64 persons were discharged in the past 24 hours.
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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