• The prohibitory orders issued by the authorities in Valley is extended until 24 August with restriction in the • Over 50 per cent of the country's population movement of all types of vehicles except the has already been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 that ones in emergency services after 8 pm starting causes COVID-19, according to a preliminary from 12 August. report carried out by the MOHP. The • The Ministry of Health and Population nationwide study was carried out in 76 launched a nationwide mask campaign aimed districts of, except for Manang, in July, with at changing the behaviour of people in technical as well as financial support from the wearing masks. World Health Organisation. • • The number of critically ill patients at COVID Doctors claim that even if both doses are hospitals in the Valley has increased after administered the vaccine may not produce cases started going up for the last two antibodies in the body of some people. In such consecutive weeks. Almost all hospital ICUs cases, COVID-19 infection can lead to complex and HDUs have been filled with covid infected problems. Thus, people who have been patients with severe symptoms since last vaccinated against COVID-19 still need to take week. Looking at the flow of patients in the all precautionary measures. outpatient department now, there are • Healthcare officials, workers suspect vaccine indications that the infection will increase in mix as many elderlies who had taken the the valley. Covishield jab may have taken Vero Cell as a • The Home Ministry has instructed Chief booster dose. District Officers of all 77 districts to brace for a • As of 16 August, 4,716,936 people have possible third wave of the COVID-19 received their first shot and 3,490,065 people pandemic. Supreme Court has the ordered have received both shots of the COVID-19 government to ensure that hospitals are ready vaccine in . to tackle the third wave of pandemic (Source: MoHP, UN, Media)

Doti, Achham, Dailekh, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Banke and Bardiya (based on the DCA’s partners’ weekly report and meeting)

• Many people are complaining of viral fever COVID-19 cases are increasing, and some lockdown measures are also being taken in also. Despite this, life is much normal, and soft modalities. people have returned to their respective • Nationwide vaccination campaign and mask occupations. The use of masks is being awareness campaign has helped people be ensured by police in the market areas. more conscious and it has been effective. Vaccination is being administered to • Viral fever is rampant in many areas elderlies. confusing Flu and COVID-19 cases. • In , the positivity rate of • In most of the areas, testing numbers and cases is very high and death cases have testing centres have been reduced and are been reported. The local government is not now limited only to district hospitals. serious about the current situation and • The movement of migrant workers to and delaying the preparation and proper from India is prevalent at almost the same management of isolation centres and rate, but proper testing measures are not preventive measures. Landslide in Naumule being taken care of. village wards 3 and 4 has put 26 households • In District, the cases have not at risk for which the local government is increased. Markets are open. Due to this, pledging support to relocate them. there is a high risk of cases rise in the days • In , COVID-19 positive cases to come. have been rising day by day which has • In , very few active cases created more risk. The vaccination drive is have been reported. The vaccination ongoing. Considering the risk of the third programme is ongoing. Local markets wave, Kailari Rural Municipality has started including district headquarter are fully its preparation work to expand the facilities open. The local transportation system is in COVID hospital/isolation. Few partially disturbed in rural areas due to arrangements can be observed such as an landslides. The seasonal migration rate is emergency ambulance for health services. high (incoming and outgoing) in the district. • In , though the cases have not • In , COVID-19 cases are increased, it is at a very high risk of COVID- rapidly increasing. A vaccination drive was 19 outbreak due to the open border also done for senior citizens. between Nepal and India, and the high • In , COVID-19 cases are density of marginalised population. increasing day by day in the last week.

• Health and hygiene materials supported to people in home isolation in Kanchanpur District. • 499 cash vouchers distributed for Food and Nutrition item support in Kanchanpur District. • FCHVs mobilised in the community to reach 8860 individuals for counselling and distributing health and wash kits in Kanchanpur District. • Unconditional cash distributed for 10 COVID-19 infected people in Chaurmandau Hospital of Chaurpati RM in Accham District. • Disseminated PSAs through local FMs of Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschhim province. • Radio program 'UTHAN' broadcasted from Jwala and Paribartan FM for raising awareness to CSOs, community members in Dailekh District. • Mobile voice message campaign on COVID- 19 awareness ongoing in Achham District. • Help desks are providing awareness, tracing the clusters or areas that need counselling and mobilising volunteers, FCHVs for door-to-door checkups and referrals. • Health and hygiene material support and counselling through phone to the COVID-19 affected people in home isolation and social media mobilisation for awareness raising ongoing in Kanchanpur District. • Radio broadcasts around COVID-19 awareness and issues related to it being played in Achham, Dailekh, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschhim Province. • Health and sanitation materials to CSOs, Chhalfal chautari (community forum) members and COVID-19 affected people supported in Dailekh District. • Groups of volunteers being mobilised by the social mobilisers to maintain distance and safety measures in Banke District.

DCA through local NGO partners supported the Nationwide Mask Week campaign in the areas it works. Mask distribution, radio awareness programmes, social media posts were widely done to spread the importance of the campaign and why mask wearing is crucial to protect oneself from COVID-19 transmission. Social mobilisers, FCHVs, local leaders were mobilised to disseminate the message in the villages and municipalities. Community people were also given masks and made aware of the importance of mask wearing, the proper way of wearing masks, disposal process as part of the campaign. Participants of different trainings, Good Governance Schools (GGS) were also made aware of it. The campaign was done in collaboration with local government bodies, police, health department, local leaders, volunteers and community members so that it could have a greater reach and impact.

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