KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Health and Population has directed the social development ministry in each province to ensure the management of at least 1,000 oxygen-filled cylinders.

In the wake of rising cases of coronavirus infection, the third wave would break at any time, the Ministry said, adding that oxygen-filled cylinders must be kept ready, according to Dr Madan Kumar Upadhyay, chief of Quality and Regulation Division at Ministry.

“Despite the health protocol and lockdown in place, the rate of coronavirus infection has not declined of late.

We can’t deny the next wave of COVID-19 pandemic. The province governments are directed to stockpile the oxygen-filled cylinders so that it would be easy to cope up the imminent crisis,” Dr Upadhyay shared.

On Monday itself, the education and health committee of the House of Representatives was made aware that the third wave of COVID-19 would begin in Nepal by coming October 1.

The province ministries were also directed to keep intact oxygen plant, oxygen tank, oxygen concentrators.