By Sharad Sharma, Kathmandu, May 2:  Nepal’s measures for the control and treatment of coronavirus are seen better as compared to other SAARC member states. The good thing is there is no fatality caused by COVID-19 in Nepal as well as in Bhutan while the number of infected ones is also less.    

Of the eight member states, people have lost their lives due to coronavirus in six countries. The Maldives recorded a lone death from the virus.    

Nepal has sealed the international borders and suspended the international flights while increasing the scope for the test of coronavirus gradually, which has resulted in positive impact for prevention and control of the virus.    

In India, more than 1,200 people lost their lives and the virus is seen in almost 90 per cent of the Indian territory.    

Similarly, 417 people lost their lives in Pakistan, 175 in Bangladesh, 72 in Afghanistan and seven in Sri Lanka.    

Joint Spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari said that the scope of coronavirus test has been increasing in Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives. He argued that Nepal’s position is better after Bhutan and the Maldives in the fight against COVID-19.    

After an individual’s death, the scope of coronavirus test has been widened in the Maldives. In Nepal 2029 individuals among one million have been tested. But, it is 13,091 in Bhutan and 14,815 in the Maldives out of one million.    

“The scope of tests seems more in Bhutan and the Maldives because of comparatively low population. But, Nepal has the highest rate of tests in terms of population ratio,” Dr Adhikari said.    

In neighbouring India, 654 people have been tested for the infection per one million population. Likewise, the same proportion in Sri Lanka is 1047 people, 825 in Pakistan, 426 in Bangladesh and 272 in Afghanistan.    

An infection case was detected in Nepal for the first time on January 23. A Nepali student coming from Wuhan in China where the infection was first detected was found infected with the virus.    

At present in Nepal, tests have been carried out through polymerase chain reaction in 17 places across the country and rapid diagnostic test in all 77 districts. So far, 13,098 suspected people have been tested for the virus through PCR across the country and 48,529 through RDT. Global infection cases reached 3,233,199 and casualties 227,489.    

In Nepal, 59 infection cases have been found in 15 districts including Kathmandu, Dhading, Udayapur, Jhapa, Bara, Parsa, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Rupandehi, Chitwan, Baglung, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Banke and Bhojpur. Of them, 16 have recovered while 43 are receiving treatment at hospitals (31 in Biratnagar, eight in Birgunj, one in Chitwan, one in Dhangadhi, one in Nepalgunj and one in Rupandehi).