COVID-19 is on the rise in Karnali Province with 143 active cases so far. At least five infection cases on an average have been reported on a daily basis, almost 100 percent rise as compared to a month ago, said the Province Health Directorate.
All of the active cases are in home isolation. There are a total of 73 home isolation centres with 1,802 beds, 1805 filled oxygen cylinders and 497 oxygen concentrators. Of 16 oxygen plants, 11 are operational, and one of four PCR laboratories is functioning at present. Antigen test is available in all districts, local levels and communities, said the health director Dr Rabin Khadka. The province has two COVID-19 hub hospitals, 68 intensive care units and 32 ventilators, he said.
The availability of ambulances, hearses, ventilators, oxygen plants and cylinders, oxygen concentrators and other medical equipment in health institutions in the province is satisfactory. However, health institutions are struggling with a shortage of human resources.
Out of the total 888 quotas for health workers in the province, 567 are vacant, it has been said. The health facilities struggling with a shortage of workforce are managing with contract-based health workers, said officials related to the health sector.
So far, the province reported 39,009 COVID-19 cases out of the total 197,338 tests, according to available data. The death toll from the virus has reached 391. As of now, 1,077,582 people got the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 1,046,749 the second dose. Similarly, 413,466 received booster doses, according to the health directorate.
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