April 3: A growing number of patients with symptoms of coronavirus infection has been reported in a week. Cases of fever and flu have started infecting people, according to doctors involved in treatment of patients.

Spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr Prakash Budhathoki, shared that COVID-19 was detected among 28 people last week. All the infected ones had come to Sudurpaschim Province from neighbouring India, he shared.

Since the new variant of coronavirus JN.1 was detected in India in January, COVID-19 patients began appearing in Nepal as well. "After new variant of coronavirus was reported in India, COVID-19 patients started appearing in Nepal sporadically and the new variant has been confirmed in Nepal," he asserted.

People who have not been vaccinated against coronavirus, chronic patients and senior citizens are still in a risk of contracting the flu-like infection. Dr Budhathoki, thus, called for observing precautions against this infection.

Similarly, Dr Yuwanidhi Basaula, director at the Teku-based Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Diseases Hospital, informed that people infected with COVID-19 have been visiting the hospital for treatment. "With the change in weather, patients with flu and fever come to the Hospital," Dr Budhathoki admitted, refuting the rumours that there were no COVID-19 infected patients in the hospital.

According to him, three COVID-19 patients were availing treatment in ICU while two were being treated in general ward. Since there is no ICU facility in other hospital, patients visit Teku-based Hospital, he said. -- RSS