3 including a Chinese test negative for COVID-19
KATHMANDU, Mar 4: A Nepali migrant worker who landed in Kathmandu from Qatar Tuesday evening has been taken to the isolation ward of the Teku-based Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital.
The 54-year-old man was sent directly to the hospital after the medics at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) suspected that he could be infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus.
According to Anup Bastola, spokesperson for the hospital, the man told medics that he has been suffering from common cold and fever for the last five days. “His blood sample and throat and nasal swabs have been sent to the National Public Health Laboratory for test,” Bastola added.
Qatar returnee dies of COVID-19 in Gorkha
In the meantime, a South Korea returnee Nepali, who was among four coronavirus suspects admitted to the Teku hospital, tested negative for the virus on Tuesday, has been admitted to the isolation ward of the Teku hospital again, as there were “some lapses” while preparing the reports, according to a source at the hospital. The three others – two Nepali and a Chinese – were discharged from the hospital on Tuesday.
“The blood samples and sputum of the South Korea returnee have been sent for tests again. Despite the lapses in the report, the man’s condition is normal,” the source added.
Amidst possible spread of the new virus, the government has made provisions to screen every passenger entering or leaving Nepal via the Tribhuvan International Airport. The government has also increased the number of health officials at the airport.
The government has also urged people not to organize parties and events involving a large number of people, as the virus may spread if anyone is infected.
Until Tuesday, the virus has infected more than 92,000 people worldwide and killed 3,130 people in 60 countries. Similarly, more than 48,000 people have recovered from the virus.
