Life & Health

Health professionals have cautioned that due to the increased number of Covid cases in India and other nations, Nepal is at a significant risk of contracting infections.

The number of coronavirus cases have been rising in China, India, South Korea, and the United States of America as a BF.7 variant of the virus has been circulating in these countries. 

China, India, South Korea, and the United States have all seen an increase in the number of coronavirus cases in recent years. These nations have seen the spread of BR.7 variant of virus.

According to health experts, Nepal is at danger for an increase in coronavirus infections if the preventive measures are not adhered to as a result of an increase in infection rates in these countries. 

Besides, they have advocated replenishing supplies and tools needed to treat coronavirus infections and suggested the government increase testing and surveillance.

Dr. Anup Bastola, an infectious and tropical disease specialist and director of the curative health division for the Ministry of Health and Population, stated, "Although hospitals have not observed an increase in the number of patients recently, the risk for the spread of the infection persists.

People must receive immunizations and observe preventive health practices."

According to the Health Ministry, as of January 8, nearly 80 per cent of the population has received the first dose of vaccine and 76.5 per cent has taken the second dose. In the meantime, just 27,31 per cent of the population has received an additional dose.

Recently, there is a vaccine scarcity in the country. The government subsequently requested three million doses from vendors, and subsequently received confirmation for 1.5 million doses.

Dr Prabhat Adhikari, infectious disease expert said: “Vaccines have been proven effective. Therefore, vaccines must be brought as soon as possible.” 

Open border with India and foreigners coming to the country pose a risk of coronavirus infection. According to media reports India has recorded 170 new Covid-19 cases on January 9.

“One new case of COVID-19's XBB 1.5 strain, responsible for the surge of cases in the United States, was found in India today [Monday], taking the overall number of such cases in India to eight,” Indian media has reported. 

Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari, assistant spokesperson at the Health Ministry, said: “We are closely monitoring the number of cases in India. People must adhere to the precautionary health measures.”

One person succumbed to Covid-19 on Saturday, marking the first mortality in Nepal in 75 days. The last Covid-related death in the country was reported on October 24, 2022.

A total of 12,020 people have died due to Covid-related complications since the pandemic hit the country on January 2020.

Dr Samir said: “We need to look at details of the death. Either the person who died had taken the vaccines or not? Did the patient have co-morbid health conditions? The investigations are still undergoing.”

According to the ministry, out of 1,951 samples sent for testing over the past 24 hours, five tested positive for Covid in PCR.

While two persons have recovered in that period, there are 24 active reported cases of coronavirus infections, the ministry said.

Dr. Prabhat Adhikari said, "Many believe that Covid is over. It isn't. We must be vigilant. If the new variation arrives in the United States, a large number of people will be infected because the vaccine has diminished our immunity. The government must increase testing in border regions and examine the genotype to determine the type of circulating variant.”

Because, if the number of cases in India increases, India will cease exporting masks and other essential items to Nepal, hospitals must be prepared and maintain adequate supplies.
Mandatory Covid-19 certificate 

The country’s flagcarrier Nepal Airlines has mandated the Covid-19 ‘negative’ certificate for all travellers coming to Nepal. 

All passengers arriving from international sector must present Covid-19 international certificate with bar code or Covid-19 test PCR negative report, it said in a statement. 

The airlines has requested all passengers to adhere this provision strictly as instructed by the Civil Aviation Authority Nepal on December 23, 2022.