Epidemiological trend of COVID-19 in Nepal and the importance of social distancing to contain the virus

There is limited information on the epidemiology and the effects of mitigation measures on the spread of COVID-19 in Nepal. Using publicly available databases, we analyzed the epidemiological trend, the people's movement trends at different intervals across different categories of places and evaluated implications of social mobility on COVID-19. We also estimated the epidemic peak. As of June 9, 2020, Provinces 2 and 5 have most of the cases. People between 15 and 54 years are vulnerable to becoming infected, and more males than females are affected. The cases are growing exponentially. The growth rate of 0.13 and >1 reproduction numbers (R0) over time (median: 1.48; minimum: 0.58, and maximum: 3.71) confirms this trend. The case doubling time is five days. Google's community mobility data suggest that people strictly followed social distancing measures for one month after the lockdown. By around the 4th week of April, the individual's movement started rising, and social contacts increased. The number of cases peaked on May 12, with 83 confirmed cases in one day. The Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Removed (SEIR) model suggests that the epidemic will peak approximately on day 41 (July 21, 2020), and start to plateau after day 80. To contain the spread of the virus, people should maintain social distancing. The Government needs to continue active surveillance, more PCR-based testing, case detection, contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine. The Government should also provide financial support and safety-nets to the citizen to limit the impact of COVID-19.

Canine Distemper Virus (CDV): an emerging threat to Nepal’s wildlife

In this article, we have described the urgency of research on CDV in the domestic and feral dogs roaming in and around the protected areas of Nepal where the already threatened wildlife have been struggling for their existence from the immense anthropogenic pressures.

Diversity and prevalence of gut parasites in urban macaques

Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) are commonly found to inhabit various religious sites and cities in Nepal. Similar to other nonhuman primates, they are also the natural or reservoir host of several gut parasites. However, the status of gut parasitism, particularly in the urban dweller macaques, remains largely unexplored in the country. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and diversity of gut parasites in the monkeys inhabiting Bajrabarahee, an urban temple area in Lalitpur District, Nepal. A total of 42 fresh fecal samples of macaques belonging to five different troops, were collected and preserved in 2.5% (w/v) potassium dichromate solution. The fecal samples were processed by direct wet mount, concentration, and acid-fast techniques and examined under an optical microscope. All the fecal samples were positive with gut parasites. The parasites detected were Ascarid spp., Balantidium coli, Cryptosporidium sp., Eimeria sp., Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba spp., Giardia sp., hookworm, Strongyloides sp., Strongylid spp., Trichomonas sp., and Trichuris sp. Cent percent prevalence rate and high species richness with 12 parasites may indicate that they have impact on the gut health of these monkeys. This suggests the need of deworming the macaque population and enhancing public awareness for pro-active control of parasitic infection as well as of adopting the preventive measures to lessen the zoonotic transmission of the pathogenic parasites.

Psycho-social perspective of COVID-19 in Nepal

This ‘opinion article’ is based on World Health Organization (WHO) news and online publications along with the cases handled by the writer. It aims at overviewing psycho-social angle of collectivistic social structure of Nepal during the pandemic called COVID-19 caused by Coronavirus. Majority of Nepalese are dependent on agriculture, remaining on private or public services either in or out of the country. COVID-19 entered the world health threatening their existence, authority and leaving social system in halt. Coronavirus attacked breathing system and lungs claiming hundreds of thousand people’s lives around the world. No vaccine or medicine to combat it has been developed till date. Educational, professional and service organizations have been shut down leaving families isolated from friends and relatives. People are living with fear, denial, panic reactions, dissociation, depression, and socially distressed in ‘lockdown’ condition. It can damage trust in authority and socialization pattern as after-effect. Doctors, Politicians, educators, local government, social workers, psychologists and people themselves can reduce negative psycho-social effects occurring in future. Emotional management (situational awareness and acceptance), relationship management, meditation and relaxation exercises can contribute positively in reducing psychological problems of COVID-19.

Waste management scheme and way forward for during and post COVID-19

The SARS-CoV-2 or/andCOVID-19 may have contaminated the wastes, which need especial precaution as suggested by WHO guidelines. WHO also suggested that no cases have been reported of infection from the waste workers working on infected wastes so far. However, in case of Nepal, 50% wastes used to be collected at the time 2011, which seems significantly improving as high as 81% in sampled areas. In COVID period, the concern was raised on safety issues of waste workers as suggested by RDT positive, hence, the public perception of waste management, the scope of recycling of wastes and up streaming of waste materials as economical commodities with proper intervention of technologies, awareness and behavior is incorporated in this study. It is estimated that the total Plastic wastes of major city centers could be significantly turned into useful products including fuel. For example, Kathmandu Valley can extract 24,298 KL oil from wastes plastics, which is based on calculation of waste per capita, waste composition and conversion ratio. Hence, the COVID-19 pandemic could be turn into opportunities in the sector of waste management provided we act wisely.

Trend of COVID-19 cases and health sector response in Nepal

We are facing global pandemic of novel corona virus diseases COVID-19 which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This paper is aimed to assess trend of COVID-19 cases and health sector response in Nepal. We reviewed WHO databases to observe the global trends and epidemiology of COVID-19 as well as daily situation updated reports of Health Emergency and Operation Centre (HEOC), guidelines, national and international government documents. The first case of COVID was reported in Nepal on 23 January 2020 and number of cases reached 454 on 21 May 2020. In order to address the increasing number of cases of COVID-19, Government of Nepal is adopting various preventive measures like extending lockdown period, setting up quarantine and isolation facilities, sealing borders, suspending flights, closing public places etc. There is need of joint effort by individuals, communities and government to prevent the further spread and flatten epidemic curve in Nepal.

Sister Robots - food and medicine carriers

Sister Robots - ‘Food and Medicine Carrier Robot’ are manually controlled robots which can be used in Corona Testing Hospital where health representatives or medical professionals need to carry food and medicine from the kitchen of the hospital to the patient isolation room. Robotics Association of Nepal [RAN] along with Team Robonauts, Team Kantibir and Team Oztec have developed the different versions of Sister Robots. The first version of the Robot - Sister V.1 is now working at the provincial hospital of Province no. 3, Hetauda Hospital. The Robot was built in support of Nepal Engineers’ Association [NEA] and handed over to Honorable Chief Minister, Province No.3 Dormani Poudel. Sister V.1 can help frontline health professionals communicate with COVID-19 suspected/infected patients in the isolation room, deliver essential foods and medicines as well. Sister V.1 took 20 days for its completion. The development team further developed second version of Sister Robot [Sister V.2]. First piece of Sister V.2 has been completed and 5 more are on the verge of development. Armed Police Force [APF] Hospital has made a trial of Sister V.2. Sister V.2 has been upgraded with a double 12V 8000MAH battery system for higher power performance, dual FPV camera system for Top 90 degree rotation back view and Front 180 degree bottom view. Food and Medicine can be easily delivered and COVID-19 can sanitize their hands with automatic sanitizer as well. Phase 1 product development has been completed and Phase 2 small scale production is currently running. The phases are defined based on the upgrade of the Robots as the team believes in iteration of the robot and customization as well. Mass scale production of Sister Robots on phase 3 Version 3 [Sister V.3] will consist of different lines of Robots with different specifications. More cost effective technologies will be introduced and automation will be a priority of Robot development. Research Center for Applied Science and Technology (RECAST) and Sagarmatha Engineering College collaborated with RAN for 6 more robots to develop financially. Phase 3 focuses in bringing Sister V.3 at each and every hospital in Nepal through collaborative partnerships and safety campaigns.

Current scenario of COVID-19 pandemics in the top ten worst-affected countries based on total cases, recovery, and death cases

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and first detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in December 2019 and spread across China and abroad. On 11th March 2020, WHO officially declared pandemic on for COVID-19. This review presents transmission mode of the COVID-19 in terms of case, death, and analysis of active cases in top ten worst affected countries. The data presented in the paper is taken from Worldometer which collects its statistical data from various reliable sources including United Nations (UN), World Health Organization (WHO) and others. Furthermore, the review presents the data analysis of recovery cases in the top 10 worst affected countries as of 24th May 2020. Such simple analysis of recovery case from COVID-19 will be helpful for the government to make its plan and policy.

Nanomaterials for diagnostic, treatment and prevention of COVID-19

The global outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has set an alarming message for the research and discovery of new and advance technology. This is possible by either combining the convectional technology with modern discoveries or initiating new avenues of research using nanotechnology. The vast library of nanomaterials and its integration into modern technology can offer various possibilities for discovery of nanomedicines, nano-biosensors, nanocompounds for controlling the sever acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other similar virus outbreaks. Here we review the ongoing approaches utilized in detection, treatment and prevention of SARS-CoV-2 and describe their advantages and drawbacks. Additionally, we provide the new and innovative technology that are currently being researched or commercialized with the aid of nanomaterials and nanotechnology for disease identification, treatment and control. We further suggest new research area based on natural product research that can provide new opportunities for jobs and economic movements during the post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Situation analysis of novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) cases in Nepal

The Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is currently a major threat to global health in an unprecedented manner. The global pandemic of COVID-19 has affected 215 countries and territories including Nepal. Until 1st June 2020, altogether 1,811 COVID-19 positive cases were diagnosed using RT-PCR. This study aimed to analyze the status of COVID-19 cases in Nepal and South Asian countries. A retrospective study from 23rd January to 1st June 2020 was conducted using data of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Nepal and Worldometer homepages. The primary case records during the pre and post lockdown periods were examined. Spatial distribution was observed. An exponential trend line was plotted and COVID-19 situation in South Asian countries was assessed. Of 1,811 COVID-19 cases, the highest number (38.3%) was reported in Province 2. Out of 77 districts, 59 were affected. In Fifty-eight districts, primary cases appeared during the lockdown period. The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases showed the exponential pattern of distribution in Nepal. In South Asian countries, India had the highest number of cases and case fatality rate (CFR). There were no cases of CFR in Bhutan. The Novel Coronavirus emergence in Nepal has become a serious challenge to the various sectors including public health. The emergence of primary cases even in the lockdown period needs a detailed study in the future.