By Arjun Kafle, Syangja, June 25: A local shopkeeper aged 55 of Ramche, Arjun Chaupari Rural Municipality -4, without any travel history has succumbed to COVID-19 on Thrusday.

Family members of the deceased have said that he had been nowhere except for Putali Bazar of Syangja for purchasing and transporting grocery items for his shop for the last six months.

The deceased was running a grocery cum snacks stall at Panchamul, Andhikhola Rural Municipality-1. He breathed his last on Thursday at Gandaki Regional Hospital in Pokhara.

He was taken to Fewa City Hospital in Pokhara on June 21 for treatment after he had a fever. However, he was afterwards taken to the Gandaki Regional Hospital as the Fewa City Hospital rejected to treat him suspecting he may have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19.

He was placed in ventilator on June 22 in the Gandaki Regional Hospital for treatment after he tested positive for COVID-19. The person was a chronic patient of diabetes and high blood pressure and he had performed his father's death anniversary ritual on June 17 by visiting his mother at the home village, according to the deceased's brother.

Nirajan Lamichhane, health section chief of Aandhikhola RM, said a list of 35 people who were in close contact with the dead had been made to collect swab on Friday for testing.

He said that over a hundred people who came in contact with the dead had been asked to stay in the home quarantine.