Virus death toll climbs to 20 in Nepal, total cases cross 7,000

KATHMANDU, June 17: The death toll from novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has reached 20 in Nepal after a woman, who died on Monday, tested positive for the virus.

“A 46-year-old female from Baijanath rural municipality ward no. 6 has died of coronavirus,” confirmed Spokesperson at the Health and Population Ministry Dr Jageshwar Gautam.

“She was admitted to Kohalpur-based Nepalgunj Medical College on June 12 with kidney problems. Her swab sample was collected and sent to Bheri Hospital for COVID-19 test on June 15, but died on the same day at 6:30 pm before her results came. She was tested positive on June 16,” added Gautam.

Gautam also confirmed 586 new infections (546 males and 40 females) in the last 24-hours, taking Nepal’s total coronavirus cases to 7177. Of the total infected, 6638 are males and 539 are females.

Of today’s infected, 200 cases are from Mahottari, 127 are from Rautahat, 38 are from Pyuthan, 31 are from Baridya, 28 are from Dhanusha, 26 are from Gulmi, 25 are from Salyan, 17 are from Nawalparasi East, 14 are from Kalikot, 12 are from Arghakhanchi, 10 are from Kapilvastu, nine are from Morang, eight are from Dang, seven each from Bara, Rupandehi and Kanchanpur, six are from Sarlahi, four are from Udayapur, three are from Parbat, two each from Jhapa, Surkhet and Dailekh and one each from Siraha, Kailali and Banke (including one death).

Likewise, nine patients were discharged after recovery, according to Gautam. The total number of patients to have recovered has now reached 1167. Of them, 1055 are males and 112 are females.