COVID-19 infections rising in border areas

Coronavirus infection is on the rise in the far-western states bordering India. The number of infections is increasing daily there.

In the last 15 days, more than 7,000 infections have been confirmed in the state. According to the Health Directorate, 7,318 people have been infected since January 12. In the same period, seven people died due to the infection, according to the directorate.

As many as 49,479 people had been infected in the state till January 12, but now that number has increased to 56,797. The death toll has risen from 614 to 621. As the new variant of Corona, Omicron, spreads rapidly in India, its effects are also felt in this state. At present, infection is seen in most of the people returning from India. The number of people returning home from Jhulaghat, Pulghat, Jauljivi, Dattu, Khalanga, Gaddachauki and Trinagar border points with India has increased.

Due to the ban imposed in various cities of India, Nepali citizens working there have started returning home. Hemraj Joshi, a person associated with COVID-19 of the Far-Western Provincial Health Directorate, said that the infection rate has increased as most of the villages have returned during the Maghi festival. He said, "The rate has also increased due to the increase in trials. The infection rate has increased as Nepali workers have returned home in Maghi from some cities in India."

Health check-ups have been tightened at checkpoints in India due to the rapid spread of Omicron infection. According to Joshi, the border has been tightened as Omicron was confirmed in four people in the state on Tuesday. He said, "A health desk has been set up at the border and tests are being carried out through antigen testing. The infected people are being kept in isolation." We have also made arrangements to vaccinate those coming from India at the border.”

A health check-up and holding center has been set up at the border more effectively and a health team has been deployed for stronger management than in the past. In addition, according to Joshi, a person associated with covid-19, the vaccination campaign has been intensified for the prevention and control of coronavirus. Vaccination campaign against COVID-19 is currently underway at all local levels of the state.

Of the 473,297 poeple tested in the far-western region so far, 56,797 have been infected. The infection has killed 621 people in the state. PCR testing is being carried out through eight different laboratories in the state and antigen testing is being carried out in all the districts of the state.