KATHMANDU, July 30: The infection rate in Nepal on Thursday reached 23.62 percent. Of the 14,242 samples tested in 24 hours, COVID-19 infection was confirmed among 3,336 individuals. On Wednesday, the rate was above 24 percent. With additional cases of infection, the total number of infected people in Nepal has reached 750,022. Of them, 448,449 were infected during the second wave.

The number of COVID infections in Kathmandu Valley has also increased to 860 on Wednesday as compared to the previous day. A week ago, the number was around 400. It has increased by an average of 50 percent in one week.

According to major hospitals of Kathmandu, the number of patients admitted to the hospital for COVID-19 treatment is increasing as the number of infected people is increasing daily. The T.U. Teaching Hospital, Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital and Bir Hospital have also stated that the daily admission rate of COVID patients is on the rise.

As the number of infected people has increased daily, infectious disease experts have pointed out that there are indications already that the infection will reach its peak by mid-September. ‘If the cases increase at this rate, the COVID-19 pandemic could reach the peak by mid-September,’ said Dr Dhruba Gaire, a doctor at Bir Hospital who is involved in the treatment of COVID patients.

Similarly, Assistant Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari said the possibility of the outbreak of the third wave has increased even as they are able to fully control the second wave of the pandemic. “It is a sign of a third wave,” he said, adding that the number of COVID-19 cases has increased significantly in recent days.

According to doctors, if the infection rate in the second wave doesn't go below 20 percent, the third wave could emerge. On Thursday alone, Nepal recorded deaths of 16 people, taking the total COVID-19 death toll in Nepal to 9,807.

 
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