Banke district, which became a coronavirus hotspot a month ago, is gradually heading towards zero infection.
In the district where up to 700 infections were found in a single day, the number of infections has dropped to two digits daily.
In the last few days, less than 100 infected people have been added and the number of deaths has been declining, according to COVID-19 Management Centre, Banke.
Naresh Shrestha, Coronavirus Facilitator and Public Health Officer at COVID-19 Management Centre, Banke, said that the infection rate that had gone out of control at one time and created panic among the people has now come largely under control.
He said that only 25 people were found infected in 310 PCR samples tested in three laboratories in Banke on Tuesday evening. He said that only 51 people were found infected in Banke on Monday.
For the same reason, 86 COVID-19 beds are now lying vacant in various hospitals of the district till Wednesday morning, said facilitator Shrestha.
According to him, 261 coronavirus infected patients are still being treated at four different hospitals in the district. According to the hospitals, 115 out of 261 patients are in critical condition.
At Bheri Hospital, Nepalgunj, 38 people are undergoing treatment, while 73 people are undergoing treatment at Nepalgunj Medical College, Kohalpur and four others are receiving treatment at Western Hospital, Nepalgunj.
Of the 261 patients in hospitals, 106 are from Banke district and 155 are from outside, according to the Centre.
Meanwhile, the locals have been demanding for the lifting of the ongoing prohibition order that has been in effect for the last 40 days.
General Secretary of the Nepalgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chiranjeevi Oli demanded that the ban be lifted by tightening the health standards when the infection rate has gone down markedly.
He reasoned that due to such a lengthy ban, the lower and middle class people are facing daily problems. Meanwhile, the Chief District Officer has said that the matter can be considered after June 7, the day the ban in the district will expire.
Source : THE RISING NEPAL,
