Categories: Health

Covid-19 cases rising at Mount Everest base camp

<p>
An increasing number of mountaineers at the Mount Everest base camp in Nepal are testing positive for Covid-19, raising fears of a serious outbreak, according to a BBC report on Wednesday.</p>
<p>
Base camp officials said a number of mountaineers from Mount Everest with suspected Covid-19 symptoms had been flown to hospitals in Kathmandu for treatment and 17 of them had tested positive for the infection.</p>
<p>
Staff at a private hospital in Kathmandu, the CIWEC clinic, confirmed to the <em>BBC </em>that patients had tested positive for coronavirus after arriving from Everest base camp.</p>
<p>
"We have just received from Kathmandu confirmation of 17 positive cases in climbers flown out of Everest," said Lhakpa Nuru Sherpa, an official with the Himalayan Rescue Association which runs a medical clinic at the base camp.</p>
<p>
The Nepalese government has so far denied having any knowledge of positive cases at Everest base camp, raising concerns that officials are downplaying the extent of the situation out of fear it will bring more pressure to close the mountain to expeditions.</p>
<p>
Prem Subedi, the under-secretary at Nepal's Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, told the BBC that the ministry was not aware of any coronavirus cases at base camp.</p>
<p>
Nepal has issued a record 394 permits so far this year for expeditions to Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, despite the surging coronavirus pandemic. Everest had been closed to mountaineers last year because of the coronavirus pandemic but the season resumed this year as foreign expeditions climbers are a major source of revenue for the Nepalese government.</p>
<p>
Authorities are mandating that visiting climbers quarantine in Nepal before proceeding to base camp, but concerns have been raised by some travel firms that there is a risk of a serious outbreak Covid-19. Many organisers had scrapped plans of taking expeditions to Mount Everest this year.</p>

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

Taiwan bolsters combat readiness, prepares for ‘war of endurance’ against China threat

Taiwan's military is prioritising combat readiness as a key aspect of deterrence due to escalating…

5 hours ago

“When every state is Viksit, India will be Viksit”: PM Modi at NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting

Calling for an increase in the speed of development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on…

5 hours ago

Scottish Parliament opposes Chinese interference in Dalai Lama’s reincarnation

The Scottish Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting religious freedom and human rights for…

8 hours ago

Baloch American Congress President urges PM Modi to back Free Balochistan movement

Tara Chand Baloch, the President of the Baloch American Congress and a former Cabinet minister…

9 hours ago

New study identifies blood molecules that could revolutionise teen depression diagnosis

In a groundbreaking study, researchers from McGill University have identified nine biological markers in the…

10 hours ago

India rebuts Pakistan’s disinformation on Indus Water Treaty at UNSC

India, in a firm and unequivocal statement at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), accused…

11 hours ago