Kathmandu. The coronavirus pandemic has affected the whole world. Lockdowns in Nepal started as early as in March, but with eased restrictions and the festive season commencing in full swing, the cases continue to increase. A total of 1,39,129 COVID-19 positive cases have been recorded in Nepal till October 20.

India has witnessed a total of 7.65 million COVID positive cases as of yet, amounting for the second highest number of infections in the world after the United States of America. Manindra Agrawal, a Professor at the Indian Institute for Technology in Kanpur stated that currently 30% of population is affected by the virus and it will reach to 50% by February. The Committee also warned that if precautionary measures were not kept in mind, the cases could rise as high as 2.5 million cases per month.

In another study conducted by Leora Horwitz, who is a Doctor at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine, it was found out that death rates owed to the pandemic is gradually decreasing in the US. Patients from the study who had chances of 25.6% of death at the beginning of the pandemic, now only have 7.6% chances of dying by the disease.

Horwitz noted that, “The death rate is still higher than many infectious diseases, including the flu, and those who recover can suffer complications for months or even longer. It still has the potential to be very harmful in terms of long-term consequences for many people.” With many young people being affected, Horwitz and her colleagues studied a wide range of patients from different age groups, who had existing ailments such as diabetes.

The results showed a decrease in death rates in all age groups. Horowitz revealed that the right medicine has led to the decrease in death rates. Khalilah Gates, a critical care pulmonologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, said that the mask should not be kept aside as there are long term effects of the disease which includes shortness of breath and irregularities in lung functions.

Overall, the death rates have been decreasing, which may come as a ray of hope to all. But Horowitz also revealed that precautionary measures such as wearing masks and observing social distancing, should continue to be observed, in order to keep the situation under control.