As the government lightens the ban, cases of coronavirus increases

-Sharad Sharma

KATHMANDU: JULY 23 – With the gradual relaxation in prohibitory orders, the number of coronavirus cases has increased in recent days.

The data from the Ministry of Health and Population reveal the increased number of cases after the government eased the prohibitory order due to crowds and poor implementation of the health protocol.

Ministry’s Assistant Spokesperson Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari said that more cases of coronavirus have been reported with the increased human mobility since last week.

Despite repeated calls to maintain health protocol, avoid crowds and social distancing, there is sheer negligence on the part of its implementation resulting in more cases of coronavirus.

“The infection rate is increasing. More cases are reported in the past one week,” Dr Adhikari added. It is said that the coronavirus infection rate in Nepal at present is around 22 per cent. In recent days, the number of infected ones is almost 3,000 a day.

The government on July 6 had relaxed the prohibitory order in the Kathmandu Valley while allowing the resumption of all sorts of businesses and ending the provision of odd and even numbers for vehicles

The Ministry has said that there are frequent violations of public health protocol.

Public health experts argue that there is a risk of coronavirus infection in Nepal due to the surge in coronavirus cases in India because of an open border.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Population has warned of the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal.

It is said that the third wave of coronavirus is likely during September and October.

Issuing a press statement, the Ministry has urged all to be cautious realizing the possible outbreak of the third wave of COVID-19.

The Ministry said that the coronavirus infection rate was on the rise with the loosening of lockdown in the country.

The Ministry has also instructed the health care institutions and hospitals and other agencies to remain alert and keep emergency and needed equipments including oxygen cylinders, beds, and medical supplies in the ready positions.

Dr Adhikari said that the third wave was riskier to children, therefore, ICU and emergency wards for children should be upgraded and kept in a ready position realising the risk of a possible outbreak.

-RSS