Impact of Coronavirus Covid -19 in Nepal.
Coronavirus Covid-19 arrives into Nepal.
A student doing his PhD in Wuhan, China, returned to Nepal on 5th January 2020. He was admitted to hospital complaining of respiratory problems on 13th January 2020. Throat swabs and blood samples taken from the student were sent to the WHO’s Collaborating Centre in Hong Kong. After treatment and medication the student's condition improved and he was discharged after five days, but crucially before a report showing positive results was sent back to the hospital. Efforts were made to trace the student's family but there was no indication as to where the man had gone or what his activities had been after discharge.
Development.
24th March 2020 Nepal Government announces a total lockdown which is being enforced by security forces.
17th April 2020 in a single day an increase of 14 active cases bringing the total to 30.
The Government is increasing the testing through Rapid Diagnostic Test and PCR Machine. So far nearly 25000 people have been tested and 30 confirmed positive.
Observations
Today is the 25th day of the Lockdown of Nepal, now the social effects can be seen. Jobs and livelihoods are lost especially those earning daily labour wages such as those in city areas and those involved in construction suddenly there is no money coming in and so have no means to buy food.
People are going to their villages by foot carrying the children and all their belongings. They have to walk 50 Km to 800 Km to reach their destinations. On the way, they have no place to eat and only streets and fields to sleep. It is difficult to cross from one district to another. Sometimes they are prevented by local people fearful of any virus they may have and sometimes stopped and turned back by police, but they have nowhere else to go. Now it is the matter of hunger and a humanitarian disaster. Already many people in Kathmandu are hungry due to 'Lockdown' and being unable to work. These Government measures have now been extended until 30th April '20, and enforcement is very strict.
Subash Shiwakoti
A student doing his PhD in Wuhan, China, returned to Nepal on 5th January 2020. He was admitted to hospital complaining of respiratory problems on 13th January 2020. Throat swabs and blood samples taken from the student were sent to the WHO’s Collaborating Centre in Hong Kong. After treatment and medication the student's condition improved and he was discharged after five days, but crucially before a report showing positive results was sent back to the hospital. Efforts were made to trace the student's family but there was no indication as to where the man had gone or what his activities had been after discharge.
Development.
24th March 2020 Nepal Government announces a total lockdown which is being enforced by security forces.
17th April 2020 in a single day an increase of 14 active cases bringing the total to 30.
The Government is increasing the testing through Rapid Diagnostic Test and PCR Machine. So far nearly 25000 people have been tested and 30 confirmed positive.
Observations
Today is the 25th day of the Lockdown of Nepal, now the social effects can be seen. Jobs and livelihoods are lost especially those earning daily labour wages such as those in city areas and those involved in construction suddenly there is no money coming in and so have no means to buy food.
People are going to their villages by foot carrying the children and all their belongings. They have to walk 50 Km to 800 Km to reach their destinations. On the way, they have no place to eat and only streets and fields to sleep. It is difficult to cross from one district to another. Sometimes they are prevented by local people fearful of any virus they may have and sometimes stopped and turned back by police, but they have nowhere else to go. Now it is the matter of hunger and a humanitarian disaster. Already many people in Kathmandu are hungry due to 'Lockdown' and being unable to work. These Government measures have now been extended until 30th April '20, and enforcement is very strict.
Subash Shiwakoti
