Nepal records 2,714 new cases and 24 deaths; Health Ministry warns of third wave

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NL Today

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Kathmandu: The Ministry of Health and Population on Thursday said it recorded a total of 2,714 new cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours.

A total of 1,855 people were diagnosed with the virus in PCR tests while 859 were confirmed positive in the test undertaken through the antigen method.

A total of 12,829 samples were tested in the last 24 hours, according to the Health Ministry. The Ministry said 9,122 samples were tested through the PCR method while 3,707 samples were through the antigen method. The positivity rate stands at 21.15 percent.

This takes the total number of positive cases in the country to 674,726 confirmed through RT-PCR tests and another 52,443 through antigen tests.

Likewise, altogether 1,288 Covid-19 patients got full recovery during the period. The Ministry said that the recovery rate in Nepal is 94.5 percent.

According to the Ministry, 24 people succumbed to the pandemic in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 9,661. Nepal currently has 27,375 active cases.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has warned of a possible third wave of the pandemic and has urged one and all to remain cautious.

Joint Spokesperson of the Ministry Dr. Sameer Kumar Adhikari said in a statement today that a third wave of the pandemic could hit the country as the infection rate is increasing with Covid restrictions lifted.

The ministry has requested all the health institutions to keep necessary infrastructure including oxygen supply and beds ready.

Joint Spokesperson Adhikari added the ministry has requested all health facilities to be on high alert to prevent a panic situation from a possible third wave.

“We have directed all hospitals to fill up oxygen cylinders and keep the beds ready,” he said. “As the third wave will have a greater impact on children, we have asked health institutions to keep the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and ventilators ready for kids.”