COVID19
News
3 MIN READ
A daily summary of Covid19 related developments that matter
The number of total Covid19 cases in Nepal reached 278 on Saturday, with the confirmation of the novel virus in an additional 11 people. The new infections were confirmed in Kavre, Kapilvastu, Sarlahi, Mahottari, Parsa, Chitwan, and Bardiya in the last 24 hours, according to the Ministry of Health and Population. Details are scarce, but some of those diagnosed with the virus are reportedly security personnel of the Nepal Army. One is a reporter. Although they are at high risk of contracting the deadly virus, most frontline workers have been working without PPEs and other security gear. Official figures as of Saturday evening show Covid-19 infection in 2018 people in Province 2 and Province 5. Similarly, 36 people have been infected in Province 1, and 16 in Bagmati Province. Three people have been infected in Gandaki Province and five in the far west. So far, 36 people have returned home after treatment. According to MoHA spokesperson Bikash Devkota, a total of 92,440 tests, including 26,691 PCR tests, have been conducted as of Saturday.
The Ministry of Health and Population has said that it was investigating the death of a woman at Dhulikhel Hospital amid reports that she was being treated for Covid-19. The woman was receiving treatment for a high fever and respiratory problems. According to MoHP spokesperson Bikash Devkota, the woman was a new mother, who had delivered a baby at Teaching Hospital on April 8 and had returned to her home in Sindhupalchok. “We are receiving detailed reports, and we are conducting the necessary Covid-19 tests. The ministry will determine whether hers is a Covid-19 death and make an official announcement after reviewing all reports,” Devkota said during the daily press briefing. Following her death, authorities have sealed the hospital and her village and ordered those who had been exposed to the deceased to remain in isolation.
A scheduled meeting of the High Level Covid-19 Taskforce that was expected to take a decision on the lockdown has been postponed for Sunday, with officials citing the need for more homework. Narayan Bidari, secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office, said that the meeting was postponed because more discussions were needed on the matter. The government has been taking all Covid-19 related decisions, including determining the timeline of the lockdown, on the basis of recommendations from the taskforce. Authorities remain divided on whether the lockdown should be extended in its current form. The ongoing lockdown is supposed to end on May 19. Bidari said that the government would adopt “different models for different places” after conducting a thorough risk-assessment. If that happens, the government may introduce a diverse set of social-distancing rules after dividing the country into multiple zones.
The main opposition party, the Nepali Congress, has registered an amendment proposal on the annual policies and programmes for the fiscal year 2077-78. A parliamentary party meeting on Saturday concluded that the annual policies and programmes had failed to lay out priorities and proposed a revision from point no 1 to 276 of the document. On Friday, President Bidya Devi Bhandari had presented the government’s annual policies and programmes for the fiscal year 2077-78, which focuses primarily on projects aimed at turning Nepal into a Covid-19-free country. Besides presenting strategies to combat the pandemic, the fiscal plans and programmes, among other things, seek to increase health infrastructure, create more jobs, and fast track major development projects.
The Maharajgunj-based TU Teaching Hospital has denied media reports of Covid-19 infections of its staff. Prem Krishna Khadga, the executive director of the hospital, said that the hospital has not found Covid-19 in any of its staff. Expressing dissatisfaction over unfounded reports circulating on various media platforms, Khadga urged the media to exercise restraint when reporting on the virus. He added that such reports were only fueling unnecessary panic in the general public. Teaching Hospital has become subject to widespread media scrutiny following the confirmation of Covid-19 in a 6-year-old girl on Thursday. The girl was admitted to the neuro ward of the hospital for a pre-existing medical condition. The infected girl has been kept in the isolation ward at the Ganeshman block of the hospital.
:::::::::
The Record We are an independent digital publication based in Kathmandu, Nepal. Our stories examine politics, the economy, society, and culture. We look into events both current and past, offering depth, analysis, and perspective. Explore our features, explainers, long reads, multimedia stories, and podcasts. There’s something here for everyone.
Features
13 min read
Narendra Modi and the BJP’s focus on Hindutva and capturing state power have engendered the current health crisis in India.
Explainers
Features
2 min read
The government of Nepal finally adopts Covid-19 measures.
COVID19
News
3 min read
Covid-19 cases have continued to rise despite a partial lockdown
COVID19
News
5 min read
While provincial and local officials have professed ignorance, locals and opposition party members allege that businessmen and those close to the UML have received vaccinations.
Perspectives
8 min read
The ongoing border dispute, inflamed by India, has given back the reins of the country to an otherwise faltering premier
Perspectives
5 min read
Despite constitutional provisions, inaction on supporting laws has meant that individuals are routinely denied citizenship through their mothers.
COVID19
Perspectives
5 min read
The world’s largest missionary movement cannot be blamed exclusively for its role in the Covid19 pandemic
Opinions
7 min read
Will your leadership summon the courage to end impunity?