By Ajita Rijal

Kathmandu, Mar. 28: The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) has confirmed another case of COVID-19 on Friday.
“A 34-year old man has tested positive for the virus,” said Dr Bikash Devkota, spokesperson at the MoHP.
The infected man has been kept in isolation in Seti State Hospital, Dhangadhi, said Devkota.
Along with this, the number of positive cases of COVID-19 has reached four in Nepal.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has informed that 13 coronavirus suspect patients are now in isolation wards of the three hospitals of Kathmandu.
Speaking at the regular media briefing, Devkota said that four coronavirus suspected are in the isolation ward of Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Diseases Hospital (STIDH) at Teku, six in Patan Hospital and three in Kanti Children’s Hospital.
Devkota informed that more than 6,000 calls were received within 24 hours in the call centre established by the ministry.  
“We have not received any kind of critical cases now, and have asked all to remain safe at the home-quarantine,” said Devkota.
“For the swab test, we have already sent agents to the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan. The sample test will be carried out soon from there,” said Devkota.
Devkota assured that sufficient Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) would be available from coming Sunday.
“We will not ask the health workers to examine the patients without the protective gears, said Devkota, adding that necessary arrangements had already been made for the availability of the protective materials. “We have stocks of PPE and reagent kits which will be sufficient for some few days,” he added.
In order to control the spread of the virus, the ministry has designated six hub hospitals inside the Kathmandu Valley and 19 in other places.
“We have also designated 78 hospitals at the preparatory levels owing to the risk of possible outbreak,” said Devkota.
Meanwhile, Devkota informed that the health of both the coronavirus infected patients was normal.
Devkota said that both the infected patients are at the isolation ward of the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Diseases Hospital (STIDH) at Teku.
The National Public Health Laboratory has tested 802 coronavirus suspected cases as of Friday. Of the total tested cases, three were found positive, and among them one has already recovered.
Keep the distance
On the occasion, Dr. Khem Karki, health advisor to Minister of Health and Population Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal advised to maintain the distance of one metre with each other.
“We are fighting against the COVID 19, an unprecedented situation. We still notice that people are not maintaining the social distance, be it at a time of shopping essential things or outing at the evening time or talking with each other,” said Dr, Karki.
“I appealed to all stay at a distance of one metre with each other both outside and inside the home,” said Dr. Karki.
As COVID-19 is transmitted by the respiratory droplets, one should follow staying at ‘L’ shape while talking to each other, said Dr Karki.
Protocol on PPE
Dr. Karki said that the ministry in the consultation with the representatives of the Medical Council and other experts had prepared the protocol for the wise use of the PPE.
As the world is reeling under the shortage of PPE, its wise use is very essential for treating the

virus suspected patients, said Dr Karki.
The PPE includes surgical masks, respiratory masks, sterile hoods, gowns, goggles and boots. These protective gears are very essential to avoid the transmission of the virus from the patients to the care providers and health workers.
“The protocol has enlisted the necessary materials for health workers categorically.”
Likewise Dr. Karki informed if anyone suspected of having COVID-19, one could call at the hotline: 1115 established by the ministry.