Coronavirus is everywhere and even the world’s highest peak was not spared. People climbing the world’s highest peak are now getting tested positive and now there is a worry of a severe outbreak in base camp of Mt Everest. According to a report by BBC, as numerous as 17 circumstances have been confirmed as they have been sent from the base camp to the hospitals in Kathmandu for remedy. After coming back from the base camp, individuals have tested positive, indicating the transmission to be greater in the area than it was anticipated.
Dilemma of closing expeditions to Mt Everest
So far, the government of Nepal has denied to have information relating to the positive circumstances emerging from the base camp of the mountains. Now the query is if the government is hiding the extent as it would lead to more stress on closing the expeditions. For Nepal, foreign climbers have been a important supply of income and the mountain was last year as the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. This year as the climbing season kicked in, the government opened Mt Everest for expeditions on April 26. With rise in Coronavirus circumstances, there is a dilemma about no matter if the climbing expeditions will have to be halted.
The report stated that authorities in the nation are now mandating a quarantine in Nepal prior to going to the base camp. However, severe issues linger as the climbing neighborhood pointed out the devastating effect of the outbreak at the mountain.
Cases of outbreak
Despite the government’s denial of Coronavirus circumstances at Mt Everest base camp, the report citing Lhakpa Nuru Sherpa, an official with the Himalayan Rescue Association highlighted that as numerous as 17 circumstances have been confirmed for COVID-19. These are amongst the climbers who have flown out of Everest. Dr Prakash Kharel at the Everest base camp clinic has been seeing a rise in the quantity of individuals who are now displaying coronavirus-like symptoms like persistent cough and fever.
According to the medical professional, when coughing is normally there amongst individuals who climb mountains, nevertheless, there are other symptoms as nicely. People who have come for climbing are not only coughing but also complain of fever and body aches.
COVID-19 testing and isolation at base camp
As per the report, the medical professional is attempting to isolate as numerous individuals as feasible who are displaying symptoms for the viral infection. “We are making sure that they stay in isolation,” the report quoted Dr Kharel as saying. Apart from this, there is a lack of a coronavirus testing facility at the base camp overall health clinic. The government has not offered permission for a testing facility, the medical professional claimed.
Some major expedition teams have stated to have brought their personal testing kits to the base camp of Mt Everest, enabling them to take timely actions which includes isolation as nicely as evacuation