By Nabaraj Kattel, Biratnagar, Aug. 26: Two persons succumbed to the novel coronavirus infection at two private hospitals in Biratnagar.

A 44-year-old female of Biratnagar Metropolitan City (BMC)-11 and a 60-year-old male died while receiving treatment at Birat Medical College and Neuro Hospital respectively.

After having some difficulties in breathing, the 44-year-old female was taken to the emergency ward of Birat Medical College. She had tested positive for the virus on Tuesday.

“Her PCR report was received after she was kept in the ventilator facility. She died while we were preparing to admit her to the isolation ward,” said Dr. Puru Koirala, COVID-19 isolation in-charge of Birat Hospital. She was also suffering from pneumonia.

Dr. Koirala said that the Morang District Administration Office was preparing to dispose the body.

Likewise, a 60-year-old male of Maottari, who was admitted to the Neuro Hospital on August 16, died on Tuesday night at 11:00 pm.

According to Ranjit Raj Basnet, coordinator of the COVID-19 management committee of the hospital, he was suffering from paralysis and was receiving treatment in ventilator.

His swab sample was collected on August 19. In PCR test report of August 23, he was found to be COVID-19 positive.

After being detected with the virus infection, he was shifted to the isolation ward of the hospital, said Basnet.  

The BMC and Morang District Administration Office have been informed for disposal of the body.

With this, the number of COVD-19 related deaths in Biratnagar has reached nine.