By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Nov. 2: The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) has sought explanation from those government hospitals, which are taking or have decided to take deposit from the COVID-19 patients.
Speaking at a media briefing, Sunday, Dr. Jageshwor Gautam, spokesperson at the MoHP, said that the ministry has already directed government hospital for providing treatment without taking any deposit from the COVID-19 patients.
Dr. Gautam said that the hospitals should follow the decision of the government not to take any charge from needy patients.
Meanwhile, the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Teku, has published a public notice regarding the expenses of COVID-19 treatment. As per the notice, the hospital seeks a deposit of Rs.50, 000 from critically ill patients who needs ventilator support. The hospital was the first COVID-19 hospital and was treating patients free of cost.
Similarly, as the data on the number of COVID-19 fatalities has been found to be different in comparison with various authorities, the MoHP has formed a three-member committee to find the exact figure.

The committee will study and find out the exact data of the fatalities, informed Dr. Gautam.
2,824 cases, 23 deaths in 24 hrs
Nepal on Sunday reported 2,824 new cases of COVID-19 with 23 fatalities from across the country. With this, the nationwide infection count has increased to 173,567 and death toll reached 960.
According to the MoHP, 1,778 males and 1,046 females tested positive for the virus among 13,023 real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests carried out in the last 24 hours. 
Similarly, 1,622 cases were found in the Kathmandu Valley of which 1,362 are from Kathmandu while Lalitpur reported 164 and Bhaktapur 96 cases.
With this, the valley’s COVID-19 case tally has advanced to 82,348 which accounts for 47.44 per cent of the total confirmed national tally.
Likewise, 2,264 people, who were earlier infected with the virus, were found to be negative for the virus in the last 24 hours. So far, 134,842 individuals have recovered from the COVID-19. Now, the active cases count at 37, 765.
According to the MoHP, 13,023 PCR tests were conducted in the last 24 hours and a total of 1,456,366 PCR tests have been conducted so far.