Govt to mobilize volunteers against COVID-19

Kathmandu: The government will mobilize volunteers at the local level and educational institutions in a bid to create awareness and fight against coronavirus (COVID-19).

A ministerial-level joint meeting of the Ministry of Health and Population and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology on March 13 decided in this regard.

All local levels and educational institutions have been directed accordingly, it has been said. A coronavirus prevention and control committee led by the vice-chairperson of the Medical Education Commission has also been formed, according to the Education Ministry.

The lethal epidemic Coronavirus known as COVID-19 which spread from mainland China has already claimed the lives of over 6,518 people globally with maximum deaths in China only and around 169,724 people (in more than 150 countries) being infected around the world.

COVID-19 has insidiously affected tourism worldwide, including Nepal. Nepal continues to scramble for preventive measures with limited resources. According to Nepali authorities, six patients suspected of Coronavirus are in isolation wards in hospitals.

According to the latest updates on Coronavirus infection in the SAARC region, there are 100 Coronavirus cases in India, 33 cases in Pakistan, 11 cases in Afganistan, 10 cases in Srilanka, 10 cases in the Maldives, 5 cases in Bangladesh and Bhutan with 1 case of Coronavirus.

Two persons infected with Coronavirus have died in India while there are no reports of the death toll from other SAARC nations including Nepal and Bhutan.