Nepal confirms second case of coronavirus

KATHMANDU, March 23: A Nepali student who recently returned from France has tested positive for coronavirus, said Minister for Health and Population Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal on Monday.

This is the second case Nepal has confirmed so far. Earlier on Jan 24, a student from Wuhan, who had come to Nepal on a vacation, had tested positive for the virus. He recovered.

“A 19-year old girl has tested positive for COVID-19. He had come to Kathmandu on March 17 from France via Doha,” said the Minister during a press meet today.

She had shown no symptoms of the virus when she arrived in Kathmandu but “was self-quarantined” since she returned.

But, she was taken to Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital in Teku after she complained of fever, sore throat and other influenza-like symptoms.

“National Public Health Laboratory confirmed the infection on Sunday,” the minister said.

According to the minister, she and her family members have been placed in quarantine. She is undergoing treatment in Teku.

“We are searching for other people who came with her by the same flight,” he added.

The death toll from the virus has passed 14,600 and infected more than 335,000 people worldwide, with Europe the new epicenter, as on Monday.

Italy is the worst-hit region in Europe with 59,000 cases and 5,476 deaths. France has reported 562 deaths and more than 10,500 infections.