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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: 14 February 2022
Kathmandu, Nepal
EMERGING THEME(S)
• Nepal reported 427 new COVID-19 infections, 10 deaths on 13 February; lowest number of COVID-19 infection in third
wave recorded on 11 February, government officials say situation may normalize in next 2 weeks
• More children getting infected with COVID-19 infection, doctors stress the importance of vaccinating eligible children
against coronavirus
• Nepali citizens traveling to India will no longer need to undergo RCT-PCR testing from 14 February, will just need to
upload their certificate of complete COVID-19 vaccination instead
• Many people facing difficulties to get a copy of their COVID-19 vaccine card as officials have not kept a proper record of
their vaccination status
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 2ISSUE(S) IN FOCUS Nepal on 13 February reported 427 new PCR confirmed coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours taking the nationwide infection tally to 973 059. Ten people died from COVID-19-related infections in the last 24 hours, according to the Ministry of Health and Population. The countrywide death toll has reached 11 892 since the pandemic began. The number of active cases stands at 22 584 and the rate of infection positivity is 7.07 %. According to the data released by MoHP, 11 districts are home to more than 500 active cases each and other 10 districts host more than 200 active cases each.2 The lowest number of the cases of COVID-19 infection was recorded on 11 February in Nepal since the beginning of the third wave of the pandemic. Government officials say the situation may normalize in 2 weeks if the infection reduces at the current rate and if a new variant does not appear. But we need to stay alert keeping in mind the risk of the infection, as per Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari, Joint Spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population.3 Experts have estimated that the infection rate will not increase and peak again based on the present condition in Nepal. Some of the reasons include the spread of the infection in the community level, most of the people being infected with it, and no emergence of a new variant. They have also claimed that the death rate will gradually start declining. 4 Other communicable diseases in Nepal have been put in shadow due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Dr Sher Bahadur Pun of the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, last year the people infected with dengue had been confused with being infected COVID-19. Likewise scrub typhus was confused with COVID-19 infection this year.5 Children are getting infected more with COVID-19 in the third wave of the pandemic due to the Omicron variant. To protect them from the infection, all eligible children should be vaccinated against it, as per Dr Sujita Bhandari, pediatrician at the Mediciti Hospital. Likewise, all the family members of the house should also be mandatorily vaccinated to be safe from it, as per the doctor.6 2 Kathmandupost.com 3 Kantipur 4 Baahrakhari 5 Nagarik 6 Nayapatrika WHE Communications Intelligence 3
Nepali citizens traveling to India will not be required to undergo RT-PCR test starting from 14 February. The Indian
government, easing restrictions on overseas arrivals, has decided to allow travelers from 82 countries including Nepal, to
upload their certificate of complete COVID-19 vaccination instead of prior RT-PCR negative results. The vaccination status
details should be provided in a self-declaration form on the Air Suvidha online portal before scheduled travel.7
Many people have faced much difficulty to make a copy of the COVID-19 vaccine card in Nepal. Every day 20-25 people visit
the District Health Office Kathmandu to find the record of their vaccination after losing their cards, but the names of many
people have not been found in the register. Neither the District Health Offices nor the local levels and hospitals have kept
proper details of the vaccine taken by the public. The Ministry of Health and Population had instructed to make a list of
vaccinated people in the electronic system as they were still being kept in the registers rather than following the instructions.8
OTHER(S)
National News
Minister for Health and Population Birodh Khatiwada has stated that the government aims to provide full vaccination
against COVID-19 to all the target population by mid-April 2022. Until 11 February, 16 159 578 or 55.4% of the total
population had been vaccinated fully. The number of people above 18 years old who have been fully vaccinated is 14 774 924,
which is 74.2%.9
Minister for Health and Population Birodh Khatiwada has claimed that not a single dose of vaccine against COVID-19 has been
lost in Nepal. He also said that the saying that there is no data on vaccines is just political propaganda.10
7
The Himalayan Times
8
Kantipur
9
The Kathmandu Post
10
Kantipur
WHE Communications Intelligence 4The healthcare workers have visited the villages across the Rapti River of Banke district that share the border with India — Gurdangaudi, Maheshpur, Khayarbhatti, Banskholi, and Chunbhatti among others to administer the vaccine against COVID-19 to the locals there. A total of 109 have been vaccinated in the process.11 The government is set to administer the booster dose of the vaccine against COVID-19 to all its citizens from 13 February. Everyone who has completed 6 months of getting the second dose is eligible to get the booster dose.12 The second dose of the Pfizer vaccine for children aged 12 to 17 is being administered till 17 February in all 32 wards of Kathmandu district.13 Gokarneshwor Municipality is administering the Pfizer vaccine to teenagers who missed getting one earlier from 14 February. The first and second dose of the vaccine will be administered to children aged 12 to 17.14 A total of 1 400 have been administered the booster dose of vaccine against COVID-19 in Rukum (East) as of now.15 Around 85% people of Jumla — 69 332 — have been vaccinated against COVID-19 as of now.16 The Supreme Court, which had suspended some of its services due to the risk of the spread of COVID-19 infection, will start rendering all its services effective from 13 February.17 Educational institutions and night-time businesses such as hotels and restaurants closed in the wake of the third wave of COVID-19 are reopening from 13 February. However, strict implementation of health and health protocol is imperative. 18 The local administration in Saptari has directed schools across the district to run classes for children below 12 years of age on alternate basis, effective from 13 February. “In view of the COVID-19 crisis, schools are required to run classes on alternate 11 Setopati 12 Baahrakhari 13 Baahrakhari 14 Baahrakhari 15 Nagarik 16 Nagarik 17 Nagarik 18 Rastriya Samachar Samiti (in The Himalayan Times) WHE Communications Intelligence 5
days for kids below 12 years of age. As for those above the age of 12, schools are allowed to run regular classes following safety measures,” said Chief District Officer Janardan Gautam.19 The schools of Sindhuli are reopening from 13 February after 29 000 students here got the Moderna vaccine. The children aged 12 to 17 have been administered the first dose of Moderna vaccine.20 The educational institutions, night businesses, restaurants, and dance bars that had been shut down with the increase in the risk of COVID-19 infection, will reopen from 13 February adhering to public health protocols. 21 The prohibitory orders in Kaski, that had been imposed to curb the spread of the COVID-19 infection, have been relaxed from 13 February. With this, the schools in the district will also reopen.22 All the sectors of Myagdi, which had remained closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will reopen from 13 February.23 Nepal risks losing decades of progress in health care, says Dr Bibek Kumar Lal, Director of Family Welfare Division of the Department of Health Services, sharing his views on COVID-19 situation, vaccination challenges and how badly the pandemic has impacted the country’s regular health programs.24 The District Administration Office Jumla has distributed Rs 100 000 each to the families of people who lost their lives to the COVID-19 pandemic.25 The number of women entrepreneurs taking bank loans surged after the pandemic which the central bank attributed to low interest rates. But analysts say the reported figure is too high to be believable. According to the Nepal Rastra Bank, a record 19 The Himalayan Times 20 Kantipur 21 Nayapatrika 22 Nagarik 23 Nagarik 24 The Kathmandu Post 25 Nayapatrika WHE Communications Intelligence 6
80 061 women entrepreneurs borrowed Rs 73.85 billion in concessional loans from banks and financial institutions in the first 6
months of the current fiscal year.26
The annual tourism promotion activities have not been held in Pokhara due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As such tourism
entrepreneurs are worried that it will make an impact in the long run if such activities are not conducted on time.27
International News
Hong Kong on 12 February reported its daily record of confirmed COVID-19 cases at 1 514. Hong Kong imposed new
restriction this week, limiting in-person gatherings to no more than 2 households. It plans to allow only vaccinated people in
shopping malls and supermarkets. Places of worship, hair salons and other businesses were ordered to close.28
China will help Hong Kong to cope with an expanding COVID-19 outbreak by providing testing, treatment and quarantine
capacity, Chief Secretary John Lee said on 12 February, adding that there were no plans for a mainland-style lockdown for
now. Hong Kong and mainland China are among few places in the world still aiming to suppress every COVID-19 outbreak, but
the Omicron variant has proven tough to keep under control. The measures will give Hong Kong breathing space as medical
capacity becomes stretched on all fronts, although there were no specific details of the plans and it was not clear how quickly
they could be implemented.29
Hong Kong reported a record number of new daily COVID-19 infections on 11 February and China said it would fully support
the city with its “dynamic zero” coronavirus strategy, as local authorities struggle to control a deepening outbreak.
Hong Kong’s pursuit of zero COVID infections has stretched hospital and quarantine facilities nearly to their limit, raising the
near-term prospect of changes to admissions and isolation policies. New daily infections rose to at least 1 325 on 11 February,
26
The Kathmandu Post
27
Nagarik
28
The Associated Press (in the Himalayan Times)
29
Reuters (in the Himalayan Times)
WHE Communications Intelligence 7health officials said. “Our healthcare system is overloaded, it’s really beyond capacity,” said Chuang Shuk-kwan, a senior health official.30 Hong Kong reported 986 new coronavirus infections on 10 February as authorities scramble to contain an outbreak which medical experts warn could see 28 000 daily cases by the end of March, with the unvaccinated a particular worry. 31 A tense standoff at a US-Canadian border crossing crucial to both countries’ economies appeared to be dissolving peacefully on 12 February as Canadian police moved in to disperse the nearly weeklong blockade and demonstrators began leaving without resistance.32 Canadian police said on 12 February that they are starting to enforce a court order to clear protesters occupying a key bridge on the Canada-US border, after a judge granted an injunction to end the blockade by people opposing pandemic restrictions. The police action comes after demonstrators blocked the Ambassador Bridge, a vital link between Windsor, Ontario and prompting calls from US President Joe Biden to end the blockade.33 As protests against Canada’s pandemic measures enter their third week on 11 February, police say they are dealing with sophisticated demonstrators blocking vital US-Canada border crossings and dealing a blow to the economy. The “Freedom Convoy” by Canadian truckers opposing a vaccinate-or-quarantine mandate for cross-border drivers, mirrored by the US government, began with the occupation of the Canadian capital Ottawa. The truckers then blocked the key Ambassador Bridge earlier this week, and shut down 2 other smaller border crossings.34 Days-long rallies against COVID-19 vaccination mandates picked up in numbers in New Zealand and Australia on 12 February, with protestors blocking roads and disrupting life in the countries’ capitals. About 10 000 protestors gathered at Canberra’s major showgrounds, forcing the cancelation of a popular charity book fair, bringing traffic to a standstill and blocking roads in the Australian capital. In New Zealand’s Wellington, hundreds of demonstrators gathered near the distinctive 30 Reuters (in the Himalayan Times) 31 Agencies (in The Kathmandu Post) 32 The Associated Press (in the Himalayan Times) 33 Reuters (in the Himalayan Times) 34 Reuters (in The Kathmandu Post) WHE Communications Intelligence 8
“Beehive” parliament for a fifth day despite drenching rain. Inspired by truckers’ demonstrations in Canada, the protestors have occupied and blocked several streets around parliament with their trucks vans and motorcycles.35 France will deploy thousands of police in and around Paris on 11 February and over the weekend and set up checkpoints at toll stations on major roads leading into the capital to keep “Freedom Convoy” motorists out, the city police said. Despite an order not to enter Paris, motorists protesting against COVID-19 restrictions are converging on the French capital from multiple cities across France, inspired by the horn-blaring demonstrations taking place in Canada.36 South Korea said on 10 February patients with mild coronavirus symptoms will have to treat themselves, aiming to free up medical resources for more serious cases, as new infections hit a fresh high because of the fast spreading Omicron variant. 37 Japan is considering easing its stringent border controls amid growing criticism that the measures, which have banned most foreign entrants including students and business travelers, are hurting the country’s economy and international profile. “I plan to look into easing the border controls,” Prime Minister Furnio Kishia told reporters on 12 February.38 China’s National Immigration Administration said it will not be renewing passports for non-essential travel while the international COVID-19 epidemic situation is still severe and cross border travel poses ‘great security risks’.39 The Philippines lifted a nearly 2-year ban on foreign travelers on 10 February in a lifesaving boost for its tourism and related industries as an Omicron-fueled surge eases. Foreign travelers from 157 countries with visa-free arrangements with the Philippines who have been fully vaccinated and tested negative for the virus will be welcomed back and will no longer be required to quarantine upon arrival. The government also ended a risk classification system that banned travelers from the worst-hit nations.40 French President Emmanuel Macron refused a Kremlin request that he take a Russian COVID-19 test when he arrived to see President Vladimir Putin this week, to prevent Russia getting hold of Macron’s DNA, two sources in Macron’s entourage told 35 Reuters (in The Kathmandu Post) 36 Reuters (in The Kathmandu Post) 37 Agencies (in The Kathmandu Post) 38 The Associated Press (in the Himalayan Times) 39 Reuters (in the Himalayan Times) 40 The Associated Press (in the Himalayan Times) WHE Communications Intelligence 9
Reuters. As a result, the visiting French head of state was kept at a distance from the Russian leader during lengthy talks on
the Ukraine crisis in Moscow.41
AstraZeneca recorded a big jump in revenue on 10 February as it begins to take a profit from its coronavirus vaccine for the
first time. The company recorded full-year revenues from US$37.4 billion, an increase of 38% from the year before at constant
exchange rates.42
41
Reuters (in the Himalayan Times)
42
The Associated Press (in The Kathmandu Post)
WHE Communications Intelligence 10Contacts 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: 22FEB14MM_132 WHE Communications Intelligence 11
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