COVID-19 (Corona) – All about the ongoing Pandemic
COVID-19 is an ongoing pandemic that is causing terror around the globe. It is a highly infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that was identified in Wuhan, Central China in 2019. Since then, the disease has spread globally causing many deaths whose number is rapidly increasing day by day. Many countries have been infected by this disease causing an emergency situation within the country and around the globe. Many countries have opted for lockdown while the effects of pandemic are in the situation of wait and watch.
With this ongoing pandemic, Nepal Intrepid Treks Team is often asked about the COVID-19 and its effect in Nepal. Regarding the effect of coronavirus in Nepal, there are no any active cases of COVD-19 till date. One patient had been diagnosed with this virus but the patient soon recovered after a short period of time. We pray to God that may this pandemic come to rest and we all would be able to take a long breathe of relaxation.
Below are some of the frequently asked questions regarding COVID-19 with their answers.
- What is COVID-19?
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID -19) is recently identified new disease caused by novel coronavirus that has not been seen in humans previously. It is a highly infectious and communicable disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
- Where and when was the disease first seen?
COVID-19 was first identified in Wuhan, Central China in 2019. Since then the disease has spread globally causing an ongoing 2019-20 coronavirus pandemic. Cases of COVID -19 first emerged in December 2019. The mysterious illness was reported in Wuhan, China. Later, the cause of disease was confirmed to be a new type of Coronavirus.
- What are the causes of COVID-19?
COVID-19 is caused by the virus severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It was previously referred to as 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). it is a communicable disease that spreads between two people via respiratory droplets released during coughs and sneezes. It is said that the virus can be active for up to three days on plastic material and stainless steel. In aerosols, it is said to be active for around three hours.
The virus infects the lungs and slowly damages it. The virus accesses the host cells via the enzyme ACE2. This type of enzyme is abundant in type II alveolar cells of lungs. The virus uses the special surface glycoprotein called spike to connect to ACE2 and enter into the host cell. As the alveolar disease progresses, it might lead to respiratory failure and finally death in worst case.
The virus is believed to have an animal origin through spillover infection. It was first transmitted from animal to human in the Wuhan city of Central China in 2019. This became the primary source of infection and before the fact could be know, it rapidly transmitted from human to human in early 2020.
- What are the common symptoms of COVID -19?
The most commonly reported symptoms of COVD-19 include fever, dry cough and tiredness. In mild cases, people may get runny nose and a sore throat. In server cases, people may develop breathing difficulty and in worst case breathing difficulty may lead to organ failure. Some cases of COVID -19 are fatal.
- What is the ongoing situation of COVID -19 pandemic in terms of facts and figures?
According to the data obtained from worldometer as of 23rd March, 2020, 340,082 cases of COVID -19 have been identified. Amongst which 226,350 cases are still active. 113,732 cases have been closed amongst which 99,027 cases recovered while 14,705 cases were fatal.
- What are the preventive measures that should be taken to avoid COVID -19?
The best way to prevent the illness is to avoid your exposure to the virus. Some of the most recommended day to day preventive measures are as follows:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay at home and isolate yourself when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the dustbin.
- Use mask to protect yourselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid spitting in public places, etc.
How COVID-19 hit tourism in Nepal?
On March 12, 2020, World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID as a pandemic. Following the WHO decision, countries around the world adopted lockdown and social distancing as the primary method of preventing infection. Since then, socialization has been a major challenge.
How COVID-19 hit tourism in Nepal? The first COVID case was reported in Nepal on January 13, 2020. Soon after, the Nepalese government declared a nationwide lockdown beginning March 24 and a suspension of all international flights beginning March 22. For the past two and a half years, Nepal has been under lockdown in various modalities as every year new variant of coronavirus hits again and again.
As previously stated, limiting socialization is the most effective way to prevent COVID infection, this has hampered tourism in every nation in the globe. Similarly, tourism in Nepal has struggled since the outbreak of coronavirus. The Nepalese government has repeatedly lifted the lockdown and decided to reopen tourism, but each time, another lockdown follows.
In the year 2020, Nepal launched the Visit Nepal 2020 campaign with the goal of attracting 2 million tourists. However, shortly after the inauguration ceremony, Nepal was forced to abandon this campaign due to a pandemic. The cancellation of such an ambitious campaign represents a significant loss for Nepal’s tourism industry.
The entire Nepalese economy is heavily dependent on tourism. The pandemic has highly affected Nepal’s tourism industry. Tourism has been a source of income for the people who live in tourist areas for many decades. Since 2020, small family-owned hotels, restaurants, homestays, and other small businesses have not seen a single tourist. Local tour guides and potters have made no money. The failure of tourism in Nepal has heavily impacted this group of people. During the pandemic, they are just unable to finance themselves.
Similarly, travel agencies, hotels, lodges, restaurants, and other highly invested businesses have suffered significant losses as a result of the pandemic. Many businesses are forced to close because it appears impossible to sustain themselves for an indefinite period of time as the pandemic continues.
Everest Base Camp Trek Few tourists visited Nepal after the government provided on-arrival visa on September 23, 2021, for vaccinated tourists. This appeared to be a revival of tourism in Nepal, but disappointment soon followed as another variant of coronavirus, omicron struck. Last year, tourist arrivals have dropped to their lowest point since 1977. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, a total of 150,962 visitors entered the country.
