By Ajita Rijal
Kathmandu, July 23: With the lifting of the 120-day nationwide lockdown implemented from March 24 to curb COVID-19 spread, the MoHP has urged everyone not to misinterpret the relaxation of the lockdown as the end of COVID-19 but rather be more cautious stating that high risk of infection still exists.
The MoHP has requested every citizen to maintain and continue with all the usual safety precautions against the COVID-19.
“The government lifted the lockdown restriction and has permitted for gradual opening of various activities, however, the MoHP requests everyone not to take this as the end of COVID-19,” Dr. Jageshwor Gautam, MoHP spokesperson, said at the daily press briefing on Wednesday.
“Risk is still very high. So if we are not careful, the loosened lockdown environment may invite a higher risk and everyone should realise this”, he added.
Dr. Gautam highlighted that everyone endured hardship in this joint fight and together all Nepalis fought against COVID-19 successfully so far, so in order to maintain it, extra consciousness was essential or else we could risk losing the gains made so far.
“More patience is required. There is still high risk of COVID-19 and we request everyone to follow the MoHP-designated standards of safety precautions,” he said.
Dr. Gautm urged everyone to take the usual precautions of not go out unless absolutely necessary, if you have to go out of house, wear masks mandatorily, maintain physical distance and wash hands regularly with soap or sanitizer, among other safety measures.
“COVID-19 risk has not decreased. It’s only somewhat under control. But if we do not take extra care, COVID-19 cases can increase, we have to learn from the example of the neighbouring countries,” Dr. Guatam said.
COVID-19 tally reaches 18094 with 42 deaths
The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) on Wednesday confirmed 100 new COVID-19 cases, taking the national tally to 18094.
The official record of recoveries climbed to 12684 with 42 deaths as of Wednesday.
The new infections were confirmed from the 3,779 Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests performed in the last 24 hours, whereby 100 persons tested positive for the virus infection, informed Dr. Gautam during the daily briefing.
The new cases were detected in 22 districts, namely Sunsari, Morang, Jhapa, Taplejung, Saptari, Dhanusa, Bara, Parsa, Kathmandu, Sarlahi, Chitwan, Lamjung, Syangja, Baglung, Banke, Bardiya, Salyan, Kalikot, Dailekh, Bajhang and Doti distrcits, according to MoHP.
According to Dr. Gautam, Rautahat, Kailali and Bajura are the three districts with over 500 cases of COVID-19 while Bhojpur, Panchthar, Dhankuta, Sankhuwasabha, Rasuwa, Manang and Mustang have become COVID-19-free zone with zero active cases of the virus infection.
Dr. Gautam said that the infection rate had decreased in the last one month. “In the COVID-19 test report of June 24, the infection rate was 9.2 per cent, which decreased to 2.06 per cent on July 17,” he added. Currently, there are 5,370 active cases of COVID-19 and 20,842 people are in quarantine.
Meanwhile, 207 COVID-19 patients receiving treatment at various health facilities across the nation were discharged in the last 24 hours after testing negative for the virus. The recovery rate now stands at 70.1 per cent.
Meanwhile, the MoHP confirmed two more COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday.
“A 60-year old male of Dhanusa, Janakpur Sub-metropolitan City died on July 21 while receiving treatment at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), Dharan,” said Dr. Gautam.
Likewise, a 49-year old female Chinese national passed away on Wednesday morning while undergoing treatment at TU Teaching Hospital (TUTH), Maharajgunj, Kathmandu,said Dr. Gautam. The deceased was first admitted to Pokhara-based Manipal Hospital and on July 17 was airlifted to Grande International Hospital in Kathmandu, where she tested positive for the virus. She was later shifted to TUTH, Maharajgunj, according to MoHP.With this, the COVID-19 death toll has reached 42.