NEPALGUNJ, May 23: Twenty-one COVID-19 patients of Banke district including the first infected returned home on Friday after recovering from this deadly disease. A 60-year-old man and a seven-year-old girl child were among those who were admitted to Khajura-based Sushil Koirala Prakhar Cancer Hospital some three weeks ago.
After their recovery was confirmed, they were seen off by the medics involved in their treatment, deputy mayor of Nepalgunj Submetropolis, Uma Thapa Magar and Kismat Kumar Kakshapati, Chairman of Khajura Rural Municipality congratulating them with bouquets.
Banke has turned into a COVID-19 hotspot as it has reported the highest number of cases in the country. Sharing borders with India, this Province 5 district has already witnessed more than 100 cases of COVID-19.
The patients who have recovered from the disease were extremely happy as they were leaving the hospital. They said they were highly grateful to health and security personnel who were there for them.
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One of the male patients said, “In the beginning, I was scared of coronavirus. I was not sure if I could beat the virus. However, now I feel as if I have got a rebirth.” “ I am overwhelmed with joy to have beaten this deadly disease,” He further added that COVID-19 can be beaten by self-confidence.
“I’d like to suggest to other COVID-19 patients not to panic and keep their morale high,” he said, adding that following the instructions of the medics is also a must.
These 21 persons were admitted to the COVID-19 hospital on May 3 after they were diagnosed with this disease. According to Dr Prakash Thapa, coordinator of the technical group at the hospital, they were discharged on Friday after they tested negative for this virus via the PCR method. They will stay in self-isolation at their homes under the supervision of health personnel even after their discharge, said Dr Thapa. They will have to follow specific rules as per the directive given to them by the hospital.
The discharged patients are the residents of Ward 7 and 8 of Nepalgunj Submetropolis who were warmly welcomed by locals upon their return to their homes.
“It has given a positive message amid this heightened fear of COVID-19,” Nepalgunj Deputy Mayor Thapa Magar said. She also urged the residents of the city to unite in the fight against this disease with precautions and self-confidence.
Banke has reported a total of 115 COVID-19 cases as of Saturday morning. Of them, a 35-year-old youth of Narainapur-5 died on May 17. Other patients are being treated at a COVID-19 special hospital set up at the Khajura-based Sushil Koirala Prakhar Cancer Hospital, Nepalgunj-based Lions Dental Hospital and Kohalpur, Pipari-based Agricultural Development Training Center. Eight patients from Narainapur, the worst-hit local unit of the district, are receiving treatment in Dang.
