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Focused COVID-19 Media Monitoring, Nepal
Focused COVID-19 Media Monitoring Nepal1
-Sharpening the COVID-19 Response through Communications Intelligence
Date: 17 January 2022
Kathmandu, Nepal
EMERGING THEME(S)
• Nepal reported 4 534 new COVID-19 infections, 3 deaths on 16 January, country’s active caseload stands at 25 680;
COVID-19 infection rate stands at 31.8%; 8 districts have more than 500 active COVID-19 cases; 24 police personnel
deployed in Kathmandu have tested positive so have 9 inmates; infections increasing in Birgunj, 31 out of 47 samples
tested positive on 13 January; infections have more than doubled in Province 1 with rising numbers seen in Jhapa,
Morang and Sunsari districts; Byas Municipality to conduct COVID-19 tests for free from 15 January till end of
pandemic; risk of COVID-19 spread at community level high in Sudurpashchim as India returnees go home without
getting tested for COVID-19, test positivity rate confirmed at 50%; Banke at high risk as infections increase; over 94% of
COVID-19-infected are staying in home isolation; rate of hospitalizations in Kathmandu’s major hospitals has increased
in the past 1 week
• Large numbers of healthcare workers, hospital staffers testing positive for COVID-19, this will put a huge strain on the
healthcare system of Nepal
• With officials putting total Omicron infections in Nepal at 25%, experts say Nepal under serious threat from both Delta
and Omicron variants of coronavirus; Dr Sher Bahadur Pun urges people suffering from flu-like symptoms to get tested
for COVID-19
1This intelligence is tracked through manually monitoring national print, digital and online media through a representative sample selection,
and consultations with media persons and media influencers.
WHE Communications Intelligence 2• Booster dose against COVID-19 to be administered from 16 January; children aged 5-11 years to be given COVID-19
vaccine from Chaitra (15 March onwards); after nearly a year since COVID-19 vaccination campaign began in Nepal,
only 39.8% of the population has been fully vaccinated; government’s aim to vaccinate all citizens by
13 April looks challenging
• Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba calls on all to unite to fight against COVID-19 infection; Main Opposition hands 22-
point memorandum to PM Deuba on COVID-19 measures; specialist doctors have advised government to extend
COVID-19 tests, build COVID-19 dedicated hospitals in every district
• Devotees thronging Kavre’s Panauti to take holy dip in Triveni Ghat’s pond to mark Makar Mela, held every 12 years
• Human Rights Watch says Nepal’s response to COVID-19 pandemic was inadequate and unequal leading to many
preventable deaths
• World Health Organization recommends 2 new drugs for treatment of COVID-19; South Korea begins Pfizer’s antiviral
pill for coronavirus patients from 14 January
RECURRING THEME(S)
• Additional measures introduced towards control of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic — gyms, movie halls, dance
bars to remain closed till 29 January; face shield made mandatory in flights; staff in commercial sector need to undergo
COVID-19 test twice a week; people showing symptoms of COVID-19 will need to stay in mandatory 5-day quarantine
WHE Communications Intelligence 3ISSUE(S) IN FOCUS The national active COVID-19 caseload of Nepal climbed to 25,680 on 16 January as 4 534 people tested positive for the infection in the past 24 hours. The death toll reached 11,620 as 3 fatalities were recorded. On 15 January, Nepal had witnessed 3 703 cases of the COVID-19 infection, while 4 persons had succumbed to the disease then.2 The rate of COVID-19 infection in Nepal reached 31.8% as of 15 January.3 A total of 8 districts have more than 500 active cases of COVID-19 infection as of now. They include — Chitwan, Kailali, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Kaski, Morang, and Sunsari. 4 The COVID-19 infection has been confirmed in 24 police personnel deployed in different units of Kathmandu. Likewise, 9 inmates have also been infected.5 The number of COVID-19 infections has more than doubled in Province 1 in the past 1 week. Of the infected, 50% are in Morang district. The cases of infection have gone up in Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari – the districts that share borders with India, according to the data of the past 1 week of the Social Development Ministry. 6 The number of COVID-19 cases has been increasing daily in the past few days in Birgunj. The infection was confirmed in 31 out of 47 samples tested at the PCR lab of Narayani Hospital on 13 January. This is 65.96% of total samples tested.7 The COVID-19 infection has been spreading rapidly in Province 2. The infection has been confirmed in around 350 people in the past 5 days. The infection has been confirmed in nearly 40% of the tests conducted. According to Bijay Kumar Jha, Provincial Health Directorate, there is a risk of the infection spreading like wildfire in the province due to the open border 2 THT Online 3 Ratopati 4 Onlinekhabar 5 Baahrakhari 6 Baahrakhari 7 Onlinekhabar WHE Communications Intelligence 4
between Nepal and India. However, there is carelessness at the border – people are entering the country without wearing masks and there are no health tests done.8 The COVID-19 infection has been spreading rapidly in the Gandaki Province. There used to be sporadic cases of infection in the province a week ago, but hundreds of cases have been recorded every day in the last 1 week. Out of the 11 districts of the province, Kaski is in the red zone.9 Tanahaun’s Byas Municipality won’t take any charge for testing for COVID-19 for its populace from 15 January onwards till the pandemic is over.10 The risk of COVID-19 spread at the community level has increased after Nepali migrant workers in India started returning to their homes from different border points of Sudurpashchim Province. The risk of virus spread has increased after people started visiting their houses directly without undergoing Antigen Test for COVID-19 in the border areas.11 The risk of COVID-19 infection is increasing in Banke district due to the open border with India. Lately the infection rate has increased among returnees from India.12 Banke district, which had recorded zero cases of infection after the second wave of COVID-19, is now seeing a resurgence of cases. The infection was confirmed in 81 on 14 January. Those returning from India after the spread in the cases of COVID-19 infection there are testing positive for COVID-19.13 The risk of COVID-19 infection has increased in Province 2 as people are not careful. The people are not found to be wearing masks, nor maintaining social distance. They are going around in crowds freely.14 The testing of COVID-19 and contact tracing in Lumbini Province has been limited to the border checkposts only. Fewer people are testing for COVID-19 at the district and provincial hospitals, and health posts. But the majority of people entering 8 Setopati 9 Ratopati 10 The Himalayan Times 11 The Himalayan Times 12 Rastriya Samachar Samiti (in The Himalayan Times) 13 Onlinekhabar 14 Kantipur WHE Communications Intelligence 5
from different border checkposts and being tested in recent days have been found to be infected with COVID-19. A lot of such people testing positive are returning to their homes via public buses, increasing the risk of the spread of infection. 15 The COVID-19 infection is being confirmed in around 50% of the population doing PCR tests in the Sudurpashchim Province. Due to the lack of proper testing and management of the people returning from India where the Omicron variant is spreading rapidly, the infection has spread to the rural levels of the province, as per the healthcare workers.16 If any Nepali returning from India tests positive for COVID-19 during the Antigen Test at the health desk setup at Trinagar border check post of Kailali, they are sent to the isolation center. Those testing positive are kept together before being sent to the isolation center and some of such people tend to escape from here.17 The COVID-19 infected, who test positive at the Gaddachauki border checkpost, are taken to stay at the isolation center of Mahakali Provincial Hospital. But some such infected tend to run away from the isolation center — every day 2-3 infected have been found to have fled. Likewise, those staying in the isolation center go to get food and other necessities on their own.18 The Karnali Province government has started COVID-19 tests at Nepal-India border checkposts, along with starting hospital services there. There are 3 major checkpoints to enter Nepal from India — Babai and Kuine of Surkhet, and Kapurkot of Salyan. If there is proper testing and treatment of people entering from these checkposts, the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic won’t be able to make much impact. The provincial government as such has started testing and a 15-bed hospital at Kuine for the testing of people entering Nepal from other countries and treatment of the COVID-19 infected.19 More than 94% COVID-19 infected in the Bagmati Province are staying in home isolation. Most of the infected of the province are taking Cetamol as medication while in isolation, as per healthcare workers. Despite the daily increase in the cases of infection, the number of people visiting hospitals for treatment or opting for institutionalized isolation is very low, as per the Bagmati Province’s Ministry of Health.20 The admission rate of COVID-19 has increased in the major hospitals of Kathmandu Valley in the past 1 week. According to 15 Kantipur 16 Kantipur 17 Kantipur 18 Kantipur 19 Nagarik 20 Kantipur WHE Communications Intelligence 6
Dr Niraj Bam of the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, with an increase in patients, the hospital has started to expand its non-COVID-19 ward as COVID-19 ward. Amongst the admitted patients, the rate of patients in serious conditions like in the second wave is less this time, as per Dr Prajjwol Shrestha, coordinator of Unified COVID-19 Hospital (Bir). Those with serious comorbidities and senior citizens however are facing complications, he said.21 Stating that the COVID-19 infection is spreading, the Bharatpur Hospital has urged the people not to visit hospitals with minor health problems as there is a chance of the infection to spread from one another at the hospital.22 A large number of healthcare workers in Nepal have been infected with COVID-19. As of 15 January, the infection was confirmed in more than 200 healthcare workers of 6 hospitals of Kathmandu Valley that had already been facing a crunch of human resources. There has been an unprecedented surge in the rate of infection amongst healthcare workers outside of the Valley as well since the past week. The highest number of infections has been confirmed in the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital — a total of 115 healthcare workers including 35 doctors have been infected. The medical ICU ward of the hospital has been shut down after all the staff of the 8-bed ward got infected.23 Omicron’s high transmissibility rate amid Delta’s presence in Nepal has led to a rapid surge in coronavirus cases for the past few days, fueling hospitalizations. And there is a new worry now. Doctors, nurses and technicians as well as hospital administrative staff who form the first line of defense against COVID-19 are contracting the virus. Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital reported around 75 infections among healthcare workers, while Bir Hospital and Patan Hospital have reported around 2 dozen infections each by 14 January morning, according to senior officials at the hospitals. They said it would be challenging for hospitals to provide services if the number of infections among healthcare workers and other hospital staff surges, even though they have managed to handle the situation so far.24 A large number of healthcare workers and staff working in the hospitals of Kathmandu Valley and different places of the nation have been infected with COVID-19. There is a chance the treatment system of the country might be affected if no effective 21 Nagarik 22 Setopati 23 Kantipur 24 The Kathmandu Post WHE Communications Intelligence 7
initiatives are made to control the rapidly spreading infection. A total of 143 healthcare workers of 6 big hospitals of Kathmandu have been infected.25 The COVID-19 infection has spread in the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in the last 5 days, Prof Dr Santa Kumar Das, COVID-19 Coordinator of the Hospital said on 13 January. The infection has spread from the medical ICU ward, he said, and informed that out of 65 infected, 1 has been admitted to the hospital and the symptoms in rest are simple. But there won’t be any problem in the hospital's services, he assured.26 Eight healthcare workers of Banke have been infected with COVID-19 since the beginning of the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Those deployed at the health desk of Jamunaha border checkpost have been infected.27 Nearly 11 000 healthcare professionals got infected with COVID-19 while treating the COVID-19 patients in the first and second waves of the COVID-119 pandemic, and 50 of them lost their lives too. But not all healthcare workers have got the risk allowance that the government had said to provide as of now.28 What’s the status of Omicron in Nepal? Officials offer a simple calculation — take it 25% of the total cases. Going by this, there are currently 3 585 Omicron infections, as the number of active cases stands at 14 340 as of 13 January. From the rate at which cases have been rising, public health experts say, Nepal is under a serious threat from two variants — Delta and Omicron.29 Unlike during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the patients suffering from coronavirus infection these days do not need oxygen support, say physicians. Doctors say that though the number of infected people visiting hospitals has increased, most of them have relatively mild symptoms. “Sixty per cent of the patients do not need oxygen,” said Director of Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital Manisha Rawal.30 25 Nayapatrika 26 Nayapatrika 27 Nagarik 28 Nayapatrika 29 The Kathmandu Post 30 Rastriya Samachar Samiti (in The Himalayan Times) WHE Communications Intelligence 8
Those infected with COVID-19 have been recovering in 3 to 5 days during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to experts. Some complications are being seen in those who have not taken the vaccine against COVID-19 or have completed 6 months of taking the complete dose of the vaccine.31 Many people in Nepal are avoiding getting tested for COVID-19 for various reasons, considering the symptoms to be of a seasonal flu, testing charges and some other inconveniences. Of late, coronavirus cases are on the rise. Doctors say many people are making a common mistake by not going for tests, taking the symptoms to be of flu, and this could prove costly. That the vaccinated are also declaring they have tested positive is a clear indication that the virus can attack anyone, according to them. “Lately there is not even a single household that does not have members suffering from flu-like symptoms,” says Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, Chief of Clinical Research Unit at the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital. “If they go for tests, chances of results coming positive are 9 out of 10. It has become apparent that the virus has spread to communities.” According to him, it’s always better for people to go for tests when they develop flu-like symptoms.32 The Ministry of Health and Population said those who have taken the vaccine against COVID-19 also get infected with the virus but they show milder symptoms. Likewise, there are no serious complications in those who have taken the vaccine. 33 The government is all set to administer the booster dose against coronavirus from 16 January. According to the Ministry of Health and Population, the booster dose will be given to frontline workers and all senior citizens above 60 as well as those completing 6 months after receiving full dose vaccine from 28 January. 34 The 14 January meeting of the Cabinet decided to administer the vaccine against COVID-19 to children aged 5 to 11 from the month of Chaitra (15 March onwards). The meeting also decided to ask the local levels to collect the data of the children of this age group.35 31 Kantipur 32 The Kathmandu Post 33 Nagarik 34 Rastriya Samachar Samiti (in The Himalayan Times) 35 Ratopati WHE Communications Intelligence 9
It has nearly been a year since the government started the vaccination drive against COVID-19. During this period, 39.8% have taken the complete dose of the vaccine against COVID-19 as of now. A large portion of the population has not got the vaccine yet. Some citizens have not taken the vaccine despite having access to it. The reasons for this being misinformation, lack of awareness, and lack of trust in vaccines.36 The Sher Bahadur Deuba-led government had said that vaccines would be its only priority when he spoke before the parliament to take its vote of confidence — it was on 18 July 2021. But it is mid-January 2022, and the government has not met its target of administering the vaccine to two-thirds of the population. The aim to inoculate all citizens by April 13 seems challenging.37 The vaccine is being administered irresponsibly in Sabaila Municipality of Dhanusha. The locals being inoculated without the vaccine card at the Mankhaha Health Post of Municipality’s Ward-5.38 Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said all should unite to fight COVID-19 in the country. Receiving a memorandum submitted by main opposition CPN-UML on COVID-19 control on 15 January, PM Deuba asked all to join hands to overcome the risks of coronavirus infection. “All should unite, irrespective of political differences, for the control and prevention of coronavirus infection.” 39 The main opposition CPN-UML on 15 January submitted a 22-point memorandum to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba urging him to provide COVID-19 vaccines to all age groups immediately. The main opposition asked the government to provide booster shots to the public immediately. It also demanded free care for all COVID-19 patients. It told the government to ensure adequate supply of vaccines and to increase storage capacity.40 36 Annapurna Post 37 Annapurna Post 38 Setopati 39 Rastriya Samachar Samiti (in The Himalayan Times) 40 The Himalayan Times WHE Communications Intelligence 10
The CPN-UML has said the third wave of COVID-19 pandemic has spread due to the weakness of the government and has demanded the mobilization of all mechanisms and agencies of governmental and non-governmental sectors for the containment, control and treatment of the COVID-19 pandemic.41 Specialist doctors have advised the government to extend COVID-19 tests and to make COVID-19 dedicated hospitals in every district to control the rapidly spreading COVID-19 infection. During a discussion with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, they also emphasized on the need to arrange sufficient human resources along with construction of holding centers, and isolation centers to fight the pandemic.42 Devotees are thronging Panauti of Kavre to observe the Makar Mela amidst the risk of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mela, marked once every 12 years, has begun from 15 January and the devotees have been taking a holy dip in the pond at Triveni Ghat from early morning. Though the number of devotees is less as compared to previous years, the crowd has not been controlled. Most of the devotees have not even used masks.43 The annual Makar Sankranti congregation, which falls on 15 January this year, at Devghat has been canceled as per the instruction of the District COVID-19 Management Committee, Chitwan.44 Inadequate and unequal access to healthcare in Nepal was exacerbated in 2021 due to the government’s poor handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Human Rights Watch said on 13 January in its World Report 2022. The government’s failures led to many preventable deaths, while a pervasive culture of impunity continues to undermine fundamental human rights in the country.45 Nepal’s government’s failure to prepare and respond effectively when the COVID-19 pandemic surged led to many preventable deaths and several serious rights challenges in the country remained unaddressed, Human Rights says in its global report. 41 Nagarik 42 Nayapatrika 43 Kantipur 44 The Himalayan Times 45 The Himalayan Times WHE Communications Intelligence 11
The New York-based international human rights organization said the Nepal government failed to provide adequate and equal health care during the pandemic in 2021.46 Most healthcare workers working in government and private hospitals, high level officials, leaders and mediapersons have been found to have taken the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine secretly. While those with access to power have taken the third dose, the government has been unable even to properly keep the record of those who have taken the first and second doses. A total of 50.9% have taken the first dose, while 38.5% have taken the second dose as of 13 January. But this data can’t be regarded as correct as many people have been taking the vaccine secretly.47 The drug baricitinib (a type of drug known as a Janus Kinase - JAK – inhibitor, also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis) is strongly recommended for patients with severe or critical COVID-19 in combination with corticosteroids, says World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines Development Group of international experts in The BM on 14 January. In the same guideline update, WHO also makes conditional recommendation for the use of the monoclonal antibody sotrovimab in patients with non- severe COVID-19, but only those at highest risk of hospitalization, reflecting trivial benefits in those at lower risk. 48 South Korea will begin coronavirus patients with Pfizer’s antiviral pills on 14 January, the first Asian country to do so. Called Paxlovid, some 630 000 of the pills enough for 21 000 people arrived on 13 January to be distributed to 280 pharmacies and 90 residential treatment centers, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said. 49 The government has introduced additional stringent measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic across the nation. It has banned the opening of gym centers, cinema halls, dance bars among others till 29 January. Likewise, pujas can be performed in religious places adhering to health protocols. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 infection has been spreading in the Kathmandu 46 The Kathmandu Post 47 Kantipur 48 The Himalayan Times 49 Reuters (in The Kathmandu Post) WHE Communications Intelligence 12
Valley. Amidst such a situation, necessary actions will be taken following the decisions of the Cabinet, according to Suprabha Khanal Dhungel, Assistant Chief District Officer of Kathmandu.50 The Cabinet meeting of 14 January decided to impose a smart lockdown in the country, according to Minister for Information and Communication Gyanendra Karki. Under this, more than 50 people will not be allowed to gather for religious and other rituals, and a ban has been imposed on all kinds of conferences, and gatherings till 29 January. If any program has to be conducted at any cost, then an Antigen Test has to be done and public health protocols have to be followed. 51 The 14 January Cabinet meeting has made face shields mandatory while travelling via plane.52 The staff in the commercial sector, who need to stay in the frontline and provide customer service, need to test for COVID-19 twice a week from now onwards. Only those testing negative during the Antigen Test will be allowed to render service.53 Those people showing symptoms of COVID-19 will need to stay in mandatory 5-day quarantine. They can return to work only if they test negative after the 5-day quarantine, as per the new rule implemented by the government.54 The pre-scheduled exams of the universities will not be cancelled, the 14 January Cabinet meeting has decided. They need to be conducted adhering to the health protocols.55 The District Administration Office Surkhet has introduced stringent measures with the surge in of COVID-19 infections in the district. It has issued 12-point health protocols to control the infection. Likewise, a smart lockdown has been imposed in the district, effective from 15 January.56 The order issued by the government to control the Omicron variant has decided to close colleges and tuition centers till 29 50 Setopati 51 Baahrakhari 52 Ratopati 53 Onlinekhabar 54 Onlinekhabar 55 Baaharkhari 56 Onlinekhabar WHE Communications Intelligence 13
January. It has stated that no physical classes should be run in universities, colleges and tuition centers. 57 As per the same order, the government will allow the entry of the audience in stadiums — one-third of the total seating capacity will be allowed entry at one time.58 The order has also said only the regular pujas will be allowed to be performed in temples and other religious places. 59 The order has allowed the opening of shopping centers, party palaces and departmental stores under certain conditions. Shopping centers and departmental stores can allow the entry of only 25 people at a time while masks have been made mandatory. In the case of party palaces, a maximum of 50 people can attend cultural activities like weddings and others. But the party palaces will be allowed to accommodate people one-third of their capacity only.60 The 14 January Cabinet meeting decided to close cinema halls and gym centers till 29 January to reduce crowds in public places, as per Gyanendra Karki, Minister for Information and Communication.61 Kaski is imposing a smart lockdown from 15 January to curb the spread of the COVID-19 infection.62 Education, Youth and Sports Department in Byas Municipality has urged all stakeholders to close schools operated in the municipality till 29 January after the spike in new variant of COVID-19 across the country.63 The schools of Udayapur district will remain closed till 29 January, as per the instructions of the COVID-19 Crisis Management Center and decision of the District COVID-19 Crisis Management Committee.64 57 Onlinekhabar 58 Onlinekhabar 59 Onlinekhabar 60 Onlinekhabar 61 Onlinekhabar 62 Nagarik 63 The Himalayan Times 64 Nagarik WHE Communications Intelligence 14
OTHER(S)
National News
The Rapti Academy of Health Sciences has infrastructure needed for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. However, the
hospital lacks qualified manpower to operate the infrastructure like the ICU and ventilators.65
Chief Minister of Province 1 Rajendra Kumar Rai has said that the under-construction holding center inside Biratnagar Jute Mill
would be operational within 4 days. One hundred of the total 1 000 beds the project will have will come into operation within 4
days and the remaining within 15 days, he said.66
The COVID-19 hospital at Sindhuli has not come into operation despite the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic underway.
The hospital that was being run under the District Hospital has remained shut down for the past three months due to lack of
budget to operate it.67
Due to the construction of the holding center at the Sallghari area of Mahendranagar not being completed, the COVID-19
infected are being kept at the isolation of Mahakali Hospital. The construction of the holding center began in Asadh this year
and was supposed to be completed within 2 months.68
The Provincial Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital in Karnali Province, set up for the treatment of COVID-19 and other
infectious diseases, has remained closed since its inauguration on 22 November 2021. It has remained closed as the hospital
does not have the staff as per the approved quota.69
Minister for Health and Population Birodh Khatiwada tried to allay people’s fear saying that the government was not in favor of
65
Onlinekhabar
66
Rastriya Samachar Samiti (in The Himalayan Times)
67
Kantipur
68
Kantipur
69
Nagarik
WHE Communications Intelligence 15imposing unnecessary lockdown to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the government will start providing booster shots to all citizens from the first week of February.70 The COVID-19 Crisis Management Coordination Center in the central level and the COVID-19 Crisis Management Committees in the district level are active in Nepal. But the local levels have not taken the ownership of the decisions made by such committees that are under the leadership of the District Administrative Officers who are under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Due to this, the provincial and local level governments have not yet taken initiative to control the third wave of pandemic, according to the experts of federalism.71 Rising coronavirus cases across the country have affected political activities and high-profile meetings including Cabinet meetings and other planned events.72 The meeting of the House of Representatives has been postponed due to the increasing cases of the COVID-19. The next meeting has been scheduled for 30 January.73 The administrative services are being affected with the staff of different offices testing positive for COVID-19. Two regular Cabinet meetings were not held as the Prime Minister, some ministers were in isolation while some tested positive for COVID- 19. The regular meeting of COVID-19 Crisis Management Coordination Center could not be held as its chief secretary Ram Prasad Thapaliya also got infected with COVID-19.These and many more such cases have affected the agencies working at the policy making level to those rendering services to the general public on a daily basis. 74 The leaders of political parties are getting infected with the onset of the third wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal. Top leaders of the CPN-Maoist Center along with the staff at the party’s central office, top leaders of Nepali Congress, CPN-UML have been infected.75 70 The Himalayan Times 71 Onlinekhabar 72 The Kathmandu Post 73 Setopati 74 Nayapatrika 75 Ratopati WHE Communications Intelligence 16
The government has formed a committee to investigate the process of bringing Nepalis stranded in foreign nations during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. The committee will investigate the irregularities that took place when the flights of Nepal Airlines were reduced and the Himalaya Airlines was given permission to conduct the rescue flights and passengers were charged fares more than the actual fare. Minister for Culture and Tourism Prem Ale has formed a 3-member committee for the same.76 The Nepal Army has issued a circular across the country to its command and the units under it to conduct its activities with minimum staff with the onset of the third wave of COVID-19 pandemic.77 Thousands of migrant workers have started returning home through various border points in Sudurpashchim Province after losing their jobs due to surging Omicron cases in India. “There is a huge flow of new entrants in the border points now as India sees a rising number of Omicron cases,” said Bhupendra Khatri, a security officer deployed at the border security in Trinagar border point. According to him, around 1 000 people enter Nepal through the border point on a daily basis. “Most of the entrants say they returned after losing their jobs due to COVID-19. A few others returned home to celebrate Maghi festivals with families,” Khatri said.78 The Chepangs of Chitwan are refusing to be vaccinated against COVID-19. It was found that the people of this minority community were not interested in vaccination.79 The current season is considered good for construction in Nepal, and rising COVID-19 cases are likely to hamper activities.80 The match between Nepal Police Club and Chyasal Youth Club scheduled for 16 January as a part of the Martyr’s Memorial A Division League has been canceled after 19 players of the Chyasal Youth Club tested positive for COVID-19.81 76 Nayapatrika 77 Ratopati 78 The Kathmandu Post 79 Rastriya Samachar Samiti (in The Himalayan Times) 80 The Kathmandu Post WHE Communications Intelligence 17
International News India recorded 268 833 fresh COVID-19 cases and 402 fatalities in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on 15 January. The fresh infections are 4 631 more than 14 January.82 New COVID-19 infections in Indian cities such as capital New Delhi and Mumbai could peak next week after rising rapidly, experts said in 13 January as the country reported the highest number of daily cases since late May. 83 Tens of thousands of devout Hindus, led by heads of monasteries and ash-smeared ascetics, took a holy dip into the frigid waters of the Ganges River in northern India on 14 January despite rising COVID-19 infections in the country. Hindu pilgrims congregated at the Sangam, the confluence of three rivers — the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati — in Prayagraj city, Uttar Pradesh, to participate in the Magh Mela, one of the most sacred pilgrimages in Hinduism. 84 Poorer nations last month rejected more than 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines distributed by COVAX mainly due to their rapid expiry date, a UNICEF official said on 13 January.85 China reported fewer new confirmed coronavirus cases for 14 January than a day earlier, but details on the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant remained unclear. In a statement on 15 January, China’s National Health Commission reported 165 new confirmed coronavirus cases for January 14, down from 201 a day earlier. 86 China further tightened its anti-pandemic measures in Beijing and across the country on 14 January as scattered outbreaks continued ahead of the opening of the Winter Olympics in a little over 2 weeks.87 Swedish Prime Minister Madalena Andersson has tested positive for COVID-19, her office said on 14 January. The Swedish 81 Onlinekhabar 82 Agencies (in The Himalayan Times) 83 Reuters (in The Kathmandu Post) 84 The Associated Press (in The Himalayan Times) 85 Reuters (in The Kathmandu Post) 86 Reuters (in The Himalayan Times) 87 The Associated Press (in The Himalayan Times) WHE Communications Intelligence 18
leader had taken part in a debate in Parliament with other party leaders earlier this week and at least 2 other top politicians have also tested positive since then.88 Hong Kong International Airport said on 14 January that it would ban passengers from over 150 countries and territories from transiting in the city for a month, as it sought to stem the transmission of the highly contagious Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Passengers who have stayed in over 150 places deemed ‘high risk’ in the last 21 days, including the United States and Britain, will be banned from transiting in Hong Kong from 16 January to 15 February, according to a notice posted by the airport.89 The coronavirus pandemic has forced the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) annual meeting of world leaders, business executives and other heavyweights to go virtual for the second year in a row. It is impossible for the Davos crowd to overlook the health crisis that has upended its plans for the last two years. The pandemic gets a top billing on 17 January, with Dr Anthony Fauci , the top US infectious disease expert, and CEO of vaccine maker Moderna joining a panel discussion that addresses what’s next for COVID-19. On 18 January, World Health Organization Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is certain to promote is often-repeated all for greater vaccine equity at a panel on the subject.90 Less than 2 weeks after the winter term started, French teachers are already exhausted by the pressures of surging COVID-19 cases. On 13 January, French teachers are walking out in a nationwide strike organized by teachers’ unions to protest virus- linked class disruptions and ever-changing isolation rules.91 Protesters opposing COVID-19 restrictions in Bulgaria clashed on 12 January with police as they tried to storm the Parliament in the capital of Sofia. Several people including police officers were injured during the clashes. 92 Unvaccinated tennis star Novak Djokovic won the right to take his fight against deportation from Australia to a Federal Court on 15 January after the government canceled his visa for the second time over COVID-19 entry regulations.93 88 The Associated Press (in The Himalayan Times) 89 The Associated Press (in The Himalayan Times) 90 The Associated Press (in The Himalayan Times) 91 Agencies (in The Kathmandu Post) 92 Agencies (in The Kathmandu Post) 93 Reuters (in The Himalayan Times) WHE Communications Intelligence 19
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s premiership was in the balance on 13 January as he faced calls from within his
Conservative Party to resign after he admitted attending a party at his official residence during a coronavirus lockdown. 94
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was rocked on 14 January by new claims that his staff held lockdown-breaching parties in
Downing Street on the eve of the funeral for Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II’s late husband. The revelations up the pressure
on Johnson, who is fighting for his political future amid public outrage at the slew of revelations about similar alleged rule-
breaking while the rest of the country followed guidelines.95
94
Reuters (in The Himalayan Times)
95
Agence France Press (in The Himalayan Times)
WHE Communications Intelligence 20Contacts for further details Ms Tsering Dolkar Gurung NPO (Communication, Media, and Public Information) World Health Organization, Country Office for Nepal Gurungt@who.int WHO’s COVID-19 response in Nepal is made possible through the generous support of the Government of Canada. Reference Code: 22JAN17MM_112 WHE Communications Intelligence 21
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