KATHMANDU, Jan 26: A day after the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) confirmed that a Nepali student returning from China had been diagnosed with the coronavirus, two more persons suspected to be infected with the same pathogen have been admitted at the Shukraraaj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital (STIDH), a government official said.

“The patients – both male – admitted at the hospital two days ago are in their twenties,” said Mahendra Prasad Shrestha, spokesperson for the ministry.

“Both young men are suspected of being infected with the coronavirus. Their blood and sputum samples have been sent to the laboratory for confirmation,” Shrestha said, adding that the patients returned from China recently.

The patients admitted at the hospital returned from Sanghai and Guangzhou, respectively. Following fever and respiratory problems, both patients were admitted at the hospital.

Though the patients are healthy, they will be kept in isolation until their final health reports are out, according to the ministry. The government has allocated a total of six beds at the Teku-based STIDH for coronavirus patients.

According to the ministry, the patients suspected of being infected with the virus will be kept in isolation, and their relatives will also be checked.

One of the private hospitals in Kathmandu had referred one of the two patients to visit the STIDH after a health check-up, according to Shrestha. The other patient directly visited the government-run STIDH.

The ministry has said that the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division has been closely monitoring the situation and exercising close supervision.

On Friday, the MoHP confirmed that a Nepali student, who returned from China, was found to be infected with the Coronavirus.

Organizing a press meet, the ministry confirmed that the 32-year-old Nepali student, who had returned to Nepal from Wuhan in China, was found to be infected with the Coronavirus. The government had sent the blood and sputum samples of the patient to the WHO Collaborating Center Hong Kong.   

As he was experiencing respiratory problems, he visited the STIDH on January 13. Doctors immediately admitted him at the hospital, suspecting he was carrying the Coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the patients have already recovered after medications. The student was admitted at the hospital from January 13 to 17. The government is also preparing to send particulars of the infected student to the World Health Organization as per the International Health By-laws.

Likewise, officials of the aircraft coming to Nepal from China have been told to submit their passengers’ health-related forms at TIA.
 

 
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