Coronavirus in Nepal: Is Nepal Safer?
The outbreak of Coronavirus is reaching the state of the pandemic which has affected more than a hundred thousand people in 101 countries and territories around the globe and the number is increasing day by day. So is Nepal safe from Coronavirus as it is too near to China? We will learn how much safe is Nepal till now, first, let us know what is Coronavirus and COVID-19 and its symptoms and effects around the world and in Nepal. Here we will try to elaborate more about Coronavirus, COVID-19 and its effect in Nepal.
What is Coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are the viruses belonging to the large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. There have been several CoronaViruses previously in humans which were known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease which is named COVID-19.
How fatal is Coronavirus?
Most people who were caught by Coronavirus (COVID-19) recovered at home, and some needed to be hospitalized to fight the virus. But at the same time in the number of patients, the disease called COVID-19 is deadly. COVID-19 is mostly dangerous for elderly people and to those who have low immunity power. About 3.4% of people who were confirmed for CoronaVirus have died with COVID-19 disease. But the fatality rate for elderly people is quite higher which is about 15-17%.
What is the present status of Coronavirus in the World?
Current Status of COVID-19 (Coronavirus):
Globally:
The confirmed cases of CoronaVirus in the world are 105,586 confirmed in which 3656 new cases were reported on March 8.
China:
About 80,859 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus are reported from China in which only 46 new cases were reported on March 8. In China, 3100 people have died from the virus in which 27 people died on March 8.
Outside of China:
The outbreak of Coronavirus is at a rapid rate outside of China now than the outbreak rate in China itself. The number of people with confirmed cases of CoronaVirus has reached 24,727, out of which 3,610 new confirmed cases were reported on March 8.
As of March 8th, 484 people have died around the globe outside China in which 71 people died on March 8 only.
The number of Countries/territories/areas which reported the cases of CoronaVirus have reached 101.
Is Nepal Safe from CoronaVirus?
Yes, till now Nepal is safe from the Coronavirus outbreak. In Nepal, there was only 1 case of CoronaVirus reported until now. Nepal is still one of the least affected countries by CoronaVirus. The CoronaVirus was found in one Nepali student who came to Nepal from Wuhan on January 5th, 2020. He has already recovered from the Virus. There were about 10 suspected cases but luckily they were found negative except one from January 5th till now.
Nepal also evacuated 175 Nepalese students from Hubei province, China on February 16 and was kept at the quarantine zone in Kharipati, Bhaktapur. After 14 days of quarantine, they were returned home after they were found negative on tests of the COVID-19 virus. Four other people were suspected for COVID-19 on March 2 but luckily they were also found negative on the tests.
It is God’s grace that Nepal is safe from the outbreak of the virus until now. The only case that was confirmed for COVID-19 also has already been treated well and recovered. The Government has taken precautions to keep Nepal Safe from the outbreak of the virus. Various measures are taken into effect by the local and federal government to protect Nepalese people from Coronavirus.
What is the Nepalese Government doing to protect Nepal from the Outbreak of CoronaVirus?
- The Nepali government has closed all the borders with China to prevent transmission of the virus.
- The Nepalese government is providing alerts and awareness through news media, social media, messaging, etc about the preventive measures to control the transmission of the virus.
- Nepal has suspended the Visit Nepal 2020 campaign to prevent the outbreak of CoronaVirus.
- Nepal government has made quarantine zones for people if they are suspected of COVID-19 in different hospitals all over Nepal for those who might have symptoms of CoronaVirus.
- If any individual is suspected of having Coronavirus while entering the country via Tribhuvan International Airport, they are kept into compulsory quarantine for 14 days and will be released only if the tests appear negative for the COVID-19 virus.
- As Nepal has an open border with India, the Nepalese government has made strict rules for people (Indians or third countries nationals) entering the country via land routes through India due to fear of COVID-19 cases in India. As the number of cases resulting positive for the CoronaVirus test reached 43 in India on March 9. Now, there are only fixed border points only through which Indians and third-country nationals are allowed to enter Nepal. Also, the third-country nationals will only get their visas for Nepal (as the visa is free for Indians) and will be allowed to enter Nepal only after their health check-up through either the border points of Raxaul, Sunauli, Karkarvitta, Jogabani, Jamunaha, and Gaddachauki.
- Nepal government is providing awareness and warning to people about COVID-19 disease and requesting its citizens to avoid public gatherings, rallies and encouraging people to maintain healthy hygienic habits and to wear masks.
- The Nepalese government has provided a helpline number to call if anyone creates the artificial shortage of masks in any region of Nepal.
What are the symptoms of CoronaVirus?
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are:
- You might have a fever, tiredness, and dry cough.
- Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea.
- The symptoms generally start with mild and begin gradually. However, some people may become infected but might not show any symptoms and don’t feel unwell.
- The person affected by COVID-19 may have pneumonia.
- There can be difficulty in breathing in some cases.
- Most people recover from the disease which is about 80% without needing special treatment. Only 1 out of every 6 people who get COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and may have difficulty in breathing.
- Elderly people, and those who are having medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.
How to Prevent from CoronaVirus?
Chances of getting infected with CoronaVirus can be prevented or the spreading of COVID-19 by taking some simple precautions:
- You need to regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or you need to wash your hand with soap and water. It has been known that the use of soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub for washing hands can kill the viruses that may be on your hands.
- You must maintain at least a distance of about 1 meter or 3 feet between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain viruses and if you are too close there may be chances that you may breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing or sneezing has the disease.
- You must avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. The CoronaVirus can remain on surfaces that can be picked up by skin and fingers. Hands and fingers touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once they become contaminated, they can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter inside your body and can make you infected with the COVID-19 virus.
- You and the people around you should always make sure to follow good respiratory hygiene. It is necessary to cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately or wash your hand. As droplets from nose and mouth can spread the virus. But if you follow good respiratory hygiene you can protect yourself as well as the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
- To prevent the disease from spreading from you to others, you should stay at home if you feel unwell or wear a mask while going to the hospital. If you are having a fever, cough or difficulty while breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions and advice that are provided by your local health authority.
- When you provide the details about health issues that you are facing to the National and local authorities, they will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. If you call in advance about your health, this can help your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will protect you and also help to prevent the virus from spreading and infecting others.
- Keep yourself up to date on the latest information about COVID-19 in your cities or local areas where COVID-19 is spreading rapidly as you will have a higher chance of getting infected in such areas.
- You must as far as possible try to avoid traveling to places especially if you are an older person or have diabetes, heart or lung disease or cancer, etc. COVID-19 is more dangerous to older people or those who have low immunity power.
Is it possible to recover from Coronavirus?
Yes, it is possible to recover from Coronavirus. The only Nepali in Nepal who was infected by Coronavirus has already been recovered from the Virus. The recovery rate in comparison to the fatality rate is pretty much higher. The number of people recovered from Coronavirus has reached 62,722 worldwide.
Till March 9, the closed cases with outcomes were 66,615, out of which 94% was recovered which was about 62,722 people and 6% died of the virus which is about 3,893 people worldwide.
What is the incubation period for the coronavirus?
An incubation period for the COVID-19 is around five days on average, but the incubation period may be as short as two days to as long as 14 days. The incubation period is usually the time between being exposed to a virus and having the symptoms of the illness caused by it.
Can I be caught by CoronaVirus if I receive goods and parcels from the virus spreading area?
No, it is very unlikely that the virus will remain on a surface after being moved, traveled, and exposed to different conditions and temperatures. However, use a disinfectant to clean it and after touching it, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash your hands with soap and water.
Can a cold or hot weather kill the virus?
No, neither cold nor hot weather will kill the virus if it has already entered inside your body as normal human body temperature is about 37°C. So neither cold temperature or a hot bath will protect you from catching the virus, however, hygienic habits may prevent you from the virus.
Can I catch CoronaVirus from my Pet or mosquito?
No, there is no evidence of catching COVID-19 from pets such as cats, dogs, etc or spreading of coronavirus to pets. As well as there is no evidence of catching COVID-19 from a mosquito as it’s a respiratory disease-causing virus and transmitted through droplets generated by infected people while coughing, sneezing or from saliva and nose.
What you should not do?
Here are the things that you should not do if you have symptoms of coronavirus:
- You should not smoke as it may cause difficulty in breathing.
- You should not wear multiple masks at a time as it is of no use to wear multiple masks. Wear only 1 mask at a time and dispose of in a safe place.
- You should not take antibiotics to fight against Coronavirus as antibiotics have no effect against Coronavirus. But you might have to take antibiotics when hospitalized because bacterial co-infection is possible.
