KATHMANDU: Thirty-five people have died from COVID-19 in the past eight days alone.
On Wednesday, eight people succumbed to the infection and four on Thursday.
So far, 95 people have died from the virus. The death rate however is meager as compared to the globe, according to the Ministry of Health and Population.
The death rate in Nepal is approximately 0.4 percent as compared to 3 percent in the world, according to the World Health Organization. Of the deaths, 50 percent were suffering from diabetes, cancer and lung and kidney problems and 50 percent were healthy, said Dr. Jageshwor Gautam, the Ministry’s Spokesperson.
In eight days, (from August 5 to August 12), 3,020 infection cases including 666 in the Kathmandu Valley were found.
Of the new infection detected in the Valley (including Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts), approximately 90 percent were from Kathmandu district.
Evaluating the infection and death rate, the country is at high risk, said Dr Gautam. Now the country has entered the second phase of infection, said the Ministry.
“The infection has spread in certain areas. However, the situation has not gone out of control. Kathmandu, Parsa, Rautahat and Mahottari districts have seen a COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Gautam, adding that disobeying the health guidelines has increased risks. Wearing facemasks and maintaining two meters distance could prevent 96 percent infection rate, according to health experts.
Following increasing infection risks, the government has asked the people not to step out except for emergencies and follow health security guidelines.
Likewise, it has stopped mobility across transits with other countries and the local level and respective district administration office have been given authority to take decisions on taking necessary steps to prevent and control the infection. Accordingly, the local levels have issued a prohibitory order or imposed lockdown given the intensity of the virus.
Infection and death in a week
In a week alone from 6 to 12 August, 31 persons lost their lives to the virus. Today also, four persons died of the coronavirus infection. Among a total of 464 infections across the country, 139 are from the Kathmandu Valley.
mong those in the valley, 109 were from Kathmandu district alone. Those losing lives were two from Dhanusha, and one each from Kathmandu, Dhading, Saptari, Morang, Kapilvastu and Bara districts.
Till date, 95 persons have died of the virus from across the country. Similarly, on August 11, 638 got infected while four died. Those losing lives were from Kaverepalanchowk, Dhanusha and Sindhupalchowk. On this day, there were 136 new infections in the Kathmandu Valley.
On August 10, four persons died, 338 were infected while the Kathmandu Valley alone had 44 cases. On August 9, there were 380 cases across the country, among which, 92 were from the Kathmandu Valley. Two had lost lives.
Similarly, on August 8, 62 were from Kathmandu Valley from among 378 new cases in the country, while three lost lives. On August 7, there were 462 cases of infection, among which, 106 from the valley. The day recorded the death of five persons. On August 6, 87 from among the total infection (370) were from the valley. This day also recorded five deaths.
Today alone, the Ministry recorded 525 new infections, thereby reaching nearly 25,000 cases in total. However, the rate of recovery is encouraging at 68.5 percent. Currently, the government is conducting PCR tests among 10,000 people a day.
State-2 records highest deaths
As per the update till date, State-2 lost 39 lives due to the coronavirus infection. Similarly, Bagmati is in second with 18 deaths followed by State-5 with 12, and State-1 and Sudurpaschim State with 8 deaths each. It is further followed by Gandaki State (6) and Karnali State (4).
After the nationwide lockdown is lifted, the rate of the positive cases is however increased. It was 4.22 percent in July 22, which reached 6.10 percent on August 11.
In the wake of the increased cases of infection within the Kathmandu Valley, the government has put in place strict measures to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.
The resumption of flights and long route bus have been postponed further. All sorts of offices in the districts having more than 200 active cases are directed to arrange office works from home with the minimum presence of staff at office.
It may be noted that the government has extended the ban on long-distance public transport and air travel until September 1, while restaurants and hotels are allowed only take-away.
Offices in districts with more than 200 cases including the capital have been asked to run with 50 percent staff, and use online service where possible. Meetings, seminars and discussions and other gatherings have been prohibited.
The new measure has been taken after infection continued to rise alarmingly since the lifting of the lockdown on June 11. The government effort alone is not enough and people need to be alert, careful and follow the health protocol, says Vice-chair of Nepali Medical Association Dr. Anil Karki.
According to research by the Nepal Health Research Council, only 72 percent of the people are found wearing a mask in public, of which 62 percent wore it properly.
The study was carried out in 23 public locations of Kathmandu valley including vegetable market, shopping mall, government and private hospital, banks, public transport and government offices. RSS
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