By Chandani Hamal, Kathmandu, July 13: As many as 26,396 Nepalis staying abroad have been rescued while 157 bodies have been brought in amidst COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown implemented to check virus spread in the country.

The Non-resident Nepalis Association (NRNA) has revealed that 92 per cent Nepalis abroad have recovered from COVID-19 and no Nepalishas succumbed to the virus in the past one week.

According to the health committee of NRNA, up until Saturday evening, 27,362 out of total 29, 624 Nepalis from all over the world have recovered from COVID-19 and 189 Nepali have lost their life to the virus.

The association also stated that new cases of COVID-19 in Nepalis were at decreasing rate. However, a slight increment in infection rate is being seen in Nepalis living in Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Australia, said Dr. Sanjev Sapkota, co-coordinator of the committee.

In total, 35,804 out of 46,346 Nepalis living in various parts of the world have recovered from the novel coronavirus.

Just before a week, death of 143 Nepalis was confirmed in 14 different countries.

As the threat of virus is still intact, the NRNA has requested all Nepalis to seriously abide by all the safety protocols issued by their respective governments.  

Meanwhile, Nepalis stuck in 23 countries due to various problems including visa renewal have been rescued by the Nepal Government, diplomatic channels and the NRN via 149 chartered flights.

As many as 5,527 Nepalis from United Arab Emirates, 5,243 from Kuwait, 4,030 from Arab and 2,884 from Qatar were rescued till mid-June.

Likewise, 18 from Afghanistan, 483 from Australia, 26 from Myanmar, 492 from Japan, 326 from Thailand, 476 from North Korea, 841 from Bangladesh, 709 from Maldives, five from Sri- Lanka, 146 from Singapore, 89 from Hong Kong, 567 from Bahrain, 423 from United States, 229 from England, 127 from Israel and 105 from China have been evacuated to Nepal till the date.

In the meantime, 157 bodies have also been brought back to Nepal.