KATHMANDU, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Nepal reported record high deaths and infections in a single day due to COVID-19 on Monday, which is spreading rapidly in the Himalayan country for the last few weeks.
According to the data released by the Ministry of Health and Population on Monday, the pandemic killed 37 people and a total of 7,448 people were infected with the coronavirus during the day. The figure of both deaths and infections are record high.
Earlier, the record death was reported on April 29 when 35 people died due to COVID-19. Likewise, the COVID-19 cases reported on Monday broke an earlier record registered on Sunday when the South Asian country reported 7,211 cases.
Nepali health officials said the current second wave of COVID-19 in the country has proved to be much infectious and deadly.
"Current situation in Nepal is very serious though I don't say it is out of control. If we don't make any intervention, the situation may be disastrous," Sher Bahadur Pun, chief of the Clinical Research Unit at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, told Xinhua.
Amid deterioration of the situation, the Nepali government has taken a number of measures to control the pandemic including suspension of domestic and international flights.
Addressing the nation on Monday, Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said that domestic flights have been suspended starting from Monday midnight to May 14. Likewise, international flights have been suspended from May 6 to May 14.
He also said that lockdowns imposed in various parts of the country including Kathmandu Valley would be made stricter.
The prime minister also announced that a number of big hospitals including both government and private ones, would be converted into dedicated COVID-19 hospitals.
Places like stadiums, party palaces, hotels and warehouses will be developed as well-equipped quarantine and isolation centres. The Nepali government has banned delivering oxygen for other purpose except for hospitals and treatment of patients. Enditem
