Nepal records infection surge for second day with 1,539 new Covid-19 cases; eight more deaths take toll to 379
According to the Health Ministry, Kathmandu Valley saw a record 737 new cases, the highest number of Covid-19 infections in a single day, with 652 cases in Kathmandu, 60 cases in Lalitpur and 25 in Bhaktapur. Shutterstock
Nepal recorded the highest daily coronavirus cases for a second consecutive day on Wednesday with 1,539 new infections as the national tally reached 58,327.
The Health Ministry also confirmed eight more deaths in the past 24-hours, as the Covid-19-related death count reached 379.
According to the Ministry of Health and Population, the active case count stands at 16,242. So far, 41,706 individuals have made successful recoveries—1,068 of them in the past 24 hours.
Kathmandu Valley reported a record 737 new infections, the highest number of Covid-19 infections in a single day. Of them, 652 were confirmed in Kathmandu, 60 in Lalitpur and 25 in Bhaktapur districts. As of Wednesday, the number of cases in the Valley has reached 13,661. A total of 11,163 cases were detected after the prohibitory orders came into effect on August 19 midnight.
“Four men and women each died of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours,” Dr Jageshwar Gautam, spokesperson for the ministry, said during a regular press briefing.
Two men—aged 71 and 74—were from Kathmandu. A man and woman aged 55 and 41 respectively were from Kavrepalanchok. Three men, aged 70, 35 and 70 from Sunsari, Saptari and Kasi respectively were also among the deceased. Likewise, a 46-year-old woman from Bara also succumbed to the disease.
The country has seen 40,333 infections and 339 deaths since July 22. There were 17,994 cases and 40 Covid-19-related deaths until July 21, when the government decided to end the nationwide lockdown after four months.
According to the ministry, 127 individuals from Bagmati Province, 117 from Province 2, 55 from Province 5, 40 from Province 1, 25 from Gandaki Province, 10 from Sudurpaschim Province, and five from Karnali Province have died of Covid-19 so far.
As of Wednesday, the government has carried out 872,274 PCR tests across the country.
“A total of 10,494 PCR tests were performed in the past 24 hours,” said Gautam.
In the past 24 hours, 652 individuals from Kathmandu, 274 from Siraha, 70 from Sunsari, 60 from Lalitpur, 49 from Makwanpur, 45 from Rupandehi, 44 each from Saptari and Banke, 35 from Morang, 33 from Salyan, 32 from Kaski, 25 from Bhaktapur, 19 each from Jhapa and Gorkha, 18 from Kavrepalanchok, 14 each from Surkhet and Kailali, tested positive for the coronavirus infection.
Infections were also recorded in nine people in Arghakhanchi, eight in Dang, seven each in Parsa and Dhading, five each in Bhojpur and Nawalparasi (East), four each in Baglung and Nawalparasi (West) districts.
Likewise, three persons each in Dhanusa, Dolakha, Tanahun and Rolpa, two each in Dhankuta, Lamjung, Syangja, Gulmi, Palpa, Bardiya and Dailekh and one each in Udayapur, Okhaldhunga, Khotang, bara, Mahottari, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Chitwan, Nuwakot, Ramechhap, Sindhupalchok, Sindhuli, Myagdi, Kapilvastu, Jajarkot, Rukum (West) and Achham, also tested positive for the virus.
“Eight districts—Morang, Sunsari, Siraha, Kathmandu, Chitwan, Bhaktapur, Makwanpur and Rupandehi—have more than 500 active cases,” Gautam said. “Five districts— Solukhumbu, Mustang, Dolpa, Mugu and Humla—don’t have any active cases.”
“As of Wednesday, 173 Covid-19 patients were being treated in intensive care units across the country and 26 patients—25 in Bagmati, and one in Sudurpaschim Province—are on ventilator support.”
Nepal on Tuesday reported 1,459 new infections and 11 more deaths. On Monday the country had reported 1,170 new Covid-19 cases and 15 deaths. Nepal had recorded 1,039 new infections and nine deaths on Sunday. The country on Saturday reported 1,201 new cases and 14 more deaths. Friday saw the highest single-day spike in coronavirus cases at 1,454. There were five Covid-19-related deaths and 1,246 new infections on Thursday, compared to six Covid-19-related deaths and 1,081 new infections on Wednesday.
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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