Nepal reports two more Covid-19 deaths, 273 new cases; national tally climbs to 5,335
A 25-year-old man from Birgunj and a five-year-old boy from Bara are the latest fatalities associated with Covid-19, said the Health Ministry.Shutterstock
Nepal on Saturday reported two Covid-19 deaths and 273 new cases, taking the national tally to 5,335.
“The swab samples of a man, approximately 25-year-old, who was found dead in Birgunj Metropolitan City on Wednesday came back positive for Covid-19 on Friday,” said spokesperson Dr Jageshwor Gautam during a regular press briefing by the Health Ministry.
“Similarly, a five-year-old boy from Nijgadh Municipality in Bara was admitted to Birgunj Health Care Hospital on Friday after complaining of fever and breathing difficulties,” Gautam said. “He was transferred into isolation at the hospital after he tested positive on a rapid diagnostic test.”
Swab samples had been sent to Narayani Hospital in Birgunj for a polymerase chain reaction test, but the boy died before the results came back positive for coronavirus, said Gautam.
With the latest fatalities, Nepal's Covid-19 death toll has reached 18.
With 273 new cases, the national tally has also surged to 5,335.
“Samples of 92 individual from Rautahat, 40 from Surkhet, 30 from Dailekh, 25 from Kapilvastu, 18 from Banke, 17 from Rolpa, 13 from Sarlahi, six each from Bardiya and Parsa, five each from Rupandehi and Jhapa, four each from Morang and Parbat, two each from Dang and Gulmi, one each from Bara, Nawalparasi (West) and Mahottari tested positive for Covid-19,” said Gautam.
According to the ministry, people from 72 districts have now contracted the coronavirus. Manang, Mustang, Okhaldhunga, Rasuwa and Rukum (West) have not witnessed any cases so far.
Rautahat has so far reported 714 cases, the highest for a district, followed by Kapilvastu with 648 cases while Dailekh has reported 509 cases.
Similarly, 489 cases have been reported in Sarlahi; Banke has recorded 315, Rupandehi has recorded 191 cases.
“So far, 127,288 polymerase chain reaction tests and 190,582 rapid diagnostic tests have been carried out across the country,” said Gautam.
According to Gautam, 913 people have been discharged from various hospitals after recovering.
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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