JUMLA, July 24: The COVID-19 infection is increasing rapidly in Jumla district. The lack of management and disregard to the safety guidelines in public areas have caused the virus to spread and increase the number of infections in the district.
Out of 58 PCR tests conducted at Karnali Academy of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital in Jumla, 40 tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday. With such a large number of infections recorded in a single day, locals in the district are requested to follow the safety guidelines very strictly.
As many as 1,176 cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in the district since April. According to Chief District Officer Nandaram Chaulagai, Jumla has recorded 151 recoveries from the deadly virus as of Friday. There are still 225 active cases of COVID-19 in the district.
Risk of third wave rises as locals disregard safety guidelines...
According to the District Administration Office (DAO), as many as eight people have succumbed to the virus inside the district. Similarly, four others have died while undergoing treatment outside the district in Karnali Hospital. In addition, 27 people are undergoing treatment at institutional isolation facilities inside the district.
The scenario in Jumla is similar to other parts of the country. The district had decided to implement a ‘smart lockdown’ after many districts across the country did the same. Before that Jumla had been on lockdown since the mid of April. Although the lockdown was lifted by the local government to some extent, the rate of infection in the region has started to increase following the decision.
Furthermore, the government has decided to allow the operation of long-distance vehicles for the movement of people attending exams including Public Service Commission exams. Likewise, businesses and shops are allowed to operate till 4 PM as well.
Also, about 8,958 people in Jumla district have been deprived of their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine after India did not provide the second shipment of vaccines. According to Public Health Officer Prem Sumai, 2,148 people in the district including health workers, drivers and staff have already received their second dose of the Covidshield vaccine.
Similarly, 1,616 people in the district have received their second dose of the Vero Cell vaccine while 1,991 have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. According to the district's public health office, people who have already received their first dose of Vero Cell will certainly receive their second dose as well.
