Two more feared infected with coronavirus in Nepal

KATHMANDU, Jan 26: Two people have been admitted to the isolation ward at the Shukraraaj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital in Teku, according to sources at the hospital.

Two male-both in their twenties are undergoing treatment at the Teku hospital, the source said adding, “they have been feared to have caught coronavirus since they have cough, fever and difficulty in breathing.”

They had returned from Sanghai and Guangzhou recently and were admitted to Teku hospital after showing symptoms similar to coronavirus.

“They will be kept in isolation until their reports arrive. Their respiratory specimens and serum have been sent to the WHO Collaborating Center in Hong Kong for diagnosis.”

If confirmed, this will be the second and the third case of coronavirus in Nepal.

The Ministry of Health had earlier confirmed a 32-year-old student returning from Wuhan of China was tested positive and “was free of virus and is under close observation”.

Meanwhile, the government has assigned Sukraraj, Bir Hospital, Civil Hospital, Patan Hospital and Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital for the treatment of patients suffering from coronavirus.

In a bid to prevent the spread of the virus, the government has also begun health screening of the passengers arriving at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

The deadly virus, since first reported in Wuhan on Dec 31 last year, has already claimed 56 lives in China.

The Chinese government has locked down the hard-hit province of Hubei and expanded drastic travel restrictions in three more cities to contain the viral contagion.

The disease has also spread to around a dozen countries including France, Australia and the United States.