278 more test positive for COVID-19, death toll reaches 11

KATHMANDU, June 5: The Ministry of Health and Population confirmed 278 more infections on Friday, taking Nepal’s total novel coronavirus cases to 2912. Of them, 267 are males and 11 are females.

The ministry also confirmed the death of a youth from Saptari today as Nepal’s virus death toll climbed to 11.

Of today’s infected, 90 are from Dailekh, 44 are from Kapilvastu, 21 are from Sunsari, 18 from Rupandehi, 17 each from Ramechhap and Mahottari, 12 from Jhapa, six each from Morang and Rautahat, five each from Bhojpur, Dadeldhura and Kavrepalanchowk, four each from Kailali and Dhanusha, three each from Jumla and Bara, two each from Nawalparasi, Sindhuli and Tanahu, and one each from Arghakhanchi, Palpa, Achham, Bajhang, Surkhet and Dang have tested positive for the virus during the tests conducted at various laboratories in the country, said ministry Spokesperson Bikas Devkota during a regular press briefing.

Likewise, four people currently working in Jumla with permanent address of Humla, Dolakha, Ramechhap and Gorkha; and two people from Gulmi and Kaski who are currently undergoing treatment in private hospitals in Kathmandu have also tested positive for the virus, according to Devkota.

The virus has now spread to 68 districts after Gorkha, Kaski and Humla became the latest districts to report infections.

Province 2 is the worst-hit state with 993 cases, followed by Province 5 with 965 cases in its 11 districts. Karnali is the third-most affected state with 479 cases. The virus has spread to nine districts in the state now (including Humla). Similarly, Sudurpaschim has 91 cases, Bagmati has 85 cases in its 12 districts. Gandaki added two districts in the list today (with the virus reported in Gorkha and Kaski for the first time) making the total affected districts to nine, the state has reported 57 cases.

Of the total infected, 2717 males 195 females.

Devkota also confirmed the death of the 28-year-old male from Panchapuri municipality of Saptari district.

“He had returned from India on May 21 and had stayed in a local quarantine for two weeks. During his stay in quarantine, he showed no symptoms of virus and was tested negative during the RDT test,” said Devkota.

“After he tested negative, he was sent home on June 4 and died on the same day,” he added.

“He tested positive during the PCR tests.”