The number of ongoing Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests for COVID-19 in Nepal is considered higher in comparison to several other South Asian nations, the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) said.
“Among the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member states, while looking in comparison, Nepal’s PCR testing rate is higher in comparison to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India, in proportion to its population,” said MoHP Spokesperson Dr. Jageshwor Gautam, at the daily briefing.
Likewise, in terms of death rate per every one million population, Nepal has less than Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, he added.

COVID-19 tally reaches 16,531

With confirmed 108 new cases in the last 24 hours the national COVID-19 tally reached 16,531 on Thursday.
During tests performed at 25 laboratories across the country, swab samples of 18 persons from Surkhet, 16 from Bajhang, eight from Kailali, seven from Dang, five each from Kathmandu and Lamjung, four each from Achham, Chitwan, Kaski and Siraha came out positive for the virus, said Dr. Gautam.
Similarly, three each from Baglung and Dailekh, two each from Bajura, Banke, Dhanusha, Doti, Gorkha, Kanchanpur, Mugu, Myagdi and Saptari and one each from Darchula, Jhapa, Makwanpur, Nawalparasi (East), Nuwakot, Sarlahi, Sindhupalchok, Sunsari and Tanahun tested positive for COVID-19, added Dr. Gautam.
The ministry said 139 COVID-19 patients recovered in the past 24 hours. “So far, a total of 7,891 individuals have returned home after recovering,” said Gautam.
As per the latest update, 196 active cases of COVID-19 are in State 1 while in State 2 the active cases stand at 2,024.
Similarly, in Bagmati State there are 429 active cases, 862 active cases in Gandaki State, 1,727 cases in State 5, 405 cases in Karnali State, and 2,962 cases in Sudurpaschim State.

Recovery tally 7,891

As many as 139 people have been discharged from isolation facilities across the country after recovery from COVID-19, in the last 24 hours. With the recent additional discharged cases, total number of recoveries has reached 7,891.
Of the total recovered cases, 543 were from State 1; 2234 in State 2; 287 in Bagmati State and 355 in Gandaki State.
Similarly, 2,296 from State 5; 1,238 from Karnali State; and 938 from Sudurpaschim State have been discharged after recovery from the virus so far.
As of today, five districts have no active cases of coronavirus
infection. They are Dhankuta, Bhojpur, Solukhumbu, Mustang, and Humla districts, informed Dr. Gautam.
Meanwhile, six districts including Mahottari, Rautahat, Palpa, Achham, Kailali, and Bajura have COVID-19 cases over 500.
Dr. Gautam said, “4,588 PCR tests were carried out in the last 24 hours and a total of 271,145 PCR tests have been carried throughout the country so far.”

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