Nepal reports first death from coronavirus

KATHMANDU, May 15: Nepal reported its first fatality from the novel coronavirus pandemic on Saturday.

The Ministry of Health and Population confirmed that the nasal and throat swab sample a woman, who died on the way to the Dhulikhel Hospital on Friday, has tested positive for the virus.

The 29-year-old post-natal woman from Sindhupalchowk district was taken to Barhabise Primary Health Care Center on May 14 after she suffered from respiratory complications, cough and fever. After it was suspected that she might have COVID-19, she was taken to Dhulikhel Hospital on an ambulance but died on the way.

Although she tested negative during a rapid diagnostic test in the local hospital, the polymerase chain reaction test showed her results positive. Her samples were then sent to the Teku-based National Public Health Laboratory in Teku for verification.

“After additional tests, the first death related to coronavirus has been confirmed,” the ministry stated in a press release.

She was discharged from the TU Teaching Hospital only on May 7, a day after she gave birth to a child. After spending two days in Kathmandu with a relative, she and her husband had returned to Sindhupalchowk.

The ministry has also confirmed two new cases of the virus talking Nepal’s total cases to 281.

“Two males aged 20 and 65 from Dhanusha have tested positive,” the release reads.