Kathmandu, March 23

Nepal has recently witnessed rapid rise in COVID-19 cases.

The country reported 17 infections in a single day today, according to the Ministry of Health and Population. The caseload was out of a total 1,454 tests.

On March 21 and 22, no infection was reported while conducting 909 and 1,387 tests respectively. Active cases stood at 30 today, said the ministry.

Nepal has seen impacts of neighbouring India that has reported increasing number of COVID-19 cases of late, said Dr Chuman Lal Das, director of the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division.

Coronavirus cases are increasing in India. 'People who have tested positive for the virus in India are carrying the disease to Nepal. Seven infected people entered Nepal through the open border yesterday,' he said, adding that tests have been intensified at the border.

He also urged people to follow the health protocols and receive a booster shot.

Meanwhile, the ministry has urged all people to receive a booster shot. It has also launched a booster shot campaign across the country in a bid to keep the infection in check.

A version of this article appears in the print on March 24, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.