More than half of Nepal’s COVID-19 cases linked to Delhi’s Markaz event

KATHMANDU, April 19: Of the total 31 coronavirus cases confirmed in Nepal, more than half of the contagion are linked with the Tablighi Jamat congregation.

Thirteen infections were found in a mosque located in Triyuga Municipality of Udayapur district while three were found in another mosque located in Birgunj.

Most of the infected found in mosques had attended the Tablighi Jamaat Congregation held from March 1-15 in New Delhi’s Nizamuddin Markaz Mosque and fled to Nepal.

The event was attended by over 9,000 missionaries chiefly from Indian and more than 900 attendees from 40 different countries despite the ban on public gatherings from Delhi Government.

Of more than 14,000 cases reported in India, around a third have been linked to the Markez event.

Although police have arrested more than two dozen Tablighi Jamatis from various places, around 200 Jamatis are claimed to have been hiding in various districts in Terai region.

Eighteen Nepali Muslims who had participated in the event were quarantined in Saptari district.

After Nepal 31st case — a 65-year old male – was found in a mosque in Udayapur, the Province 1 government has started contact tracing in Morang, Sunsari and Udayapur districts.

Biratnagar metropolitan, in coordination with the Muslim community, monitored the mosques in its area on Saturday.

Likewise, a 46-year-old man from Bhokraha Narsingh rural municipality, who had stayed with three infected Indian citizens in Bhulke mosque of Udayapur for 10 days have been sent to quarantine, said Nepal Muslim Association Province 1 Chair Haji Israil.