Nepal confirms third coronavirus case

KATHMANDU, March 25: The National Public Health Laboratory has confirmed the third coronavirus case in Nepal on Wednesday.

The Laboratory updated the new infection on its website today taking the total cases to three.

The Ministry of Health and Population on Monday had confirmed the country’s second case after a 19-year-old girl who landed in Kathmandu from France via Qatar transit on March 17 was positive for COVID-19. She is receiving treatment at the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital in Teku.

According to the Minister of Health and Population Bhabubhakta Dhakal, a 32-year-old man from Dhading has tested positive for the virus.

“He had returned to Nepal from the United Arab Emirates on March 19. After landing in Kathmandu, he had stayed in a hotel,” the minister said.

He had reached Teku hospital after showing symptoms of the virus. He is undergoing treatment there.

Hours after the second infection was confirmed, the government announced a complete nationwide for a week.

Earlier on Jan 24, a student from Wuhan, who had come to Nepal on a vacation, had tested positive for the virus. He recovered.

The national laboratory has tested 687 samples so far. Of them, 684 samples have tested negative.