KATHMANDU, MAY 03

Nepal set another record by reporting more than 7000 new cases of coronavirus infections, taking the nation-wide tally to 336,030 yesterday, as Kathmandu emerged as the worst Covid-hit of 77 districts.

Kathmandu, Banke and Rupandehi are the three districts which have contributed most to the Covid-19 record-books in the country which is currently reeling under the almost unmanageable weight of a second wave, that amid political turmoil.

According to the latest data received from the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), the number of people diagnosed with Covid-19 in Nepal this week has increased by 136.8 per cent compared to the last week.

Kathmandu alone accounts for close to 50 per cent of fresh COVID-19 cases in the country recording a soaring number of infections every day, as it continues to be the worst-hit district with a total of has 124,758 cases recorded so far. On Sunday alone, Kathmandu district reported 2,744 cases of new infection.

After Kathmandu, Rupandehi stands second in line with 14,031 infections in the district. It has now become one of the Covid-hotspots after the second wave of the virus struck the country. The number of Covid-19 deaths has started to climb in Rupandehi with as many as 204 deaths recorded in the district till date. The district has 3,603 active cases.

After Rupandehi Banke stands third in line with 10,721 infections recorded so far in the district.

The number of Covid-19 deaths has started to climb in Banke with as many as 99 deaths reported here. The district has 4,072 active cases,

Coming back to Bagmati province, a total of 23,318 people are currently in home isolation, 1486 in institutional isolation, 254 patients are admitted in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 77 are on ventilators.

So far, a total of 14,87,807 tests have been conducted in the province.

Similarly, in Lumbini province, a total of 11,418 people are in home isolation, 772 in institutional isolation, 77 patients are admitted in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 21 are in ventilator support. So far, a total of 258,294 tests have been conducted in the province.

Meanwhile, the current political scenario at the federal level as well as provincial levels have failed to address people's woes with the looming health crisis, which public health experts warn will move from bad to worse if adequate measures are not adopted soon, as time ticks by.

Authorities in these three districts are trying to bring the surge under control by imposing stricter restrictions.

Compiled by Madhavi Marasini