COVID-19 status and restrictions measures will be enforced accordingly. • The prohibitory orders issued by the authorities in • MOHP has also directed to ensure the stock of at least Valley is valid until 4 August with no 1,000 cylinders in each province. substantial changes despite the cases of COVID-19 rising • has reported new Kappa mutant of COVID-19 lately. Delta variant. It is said that it is more fatal than the • Number of infected people admitted at the hospital has mutants detected before and are likely to infect people been increasing gradually in most parts of the country. of all age groups. The MOHP has urged all people to take Intensive care units of most of the hospitals treating extra precautions and follow health safety standards to COVID-19 patients have been running in full capacity in avoid possible infection of this virus. the valley. • The Government is administering Vero Cell and Johnson • As the COVID-19 cases rise, the COVID-19 Crisis and Johnson vaccine. As of 2 August, 4,163,251 people Management Committee Centre (CCMC) has focused on have received their first shot and 2,000,211 people have ways for effective execution of mechanisms to control received both shots of the COVID-19 vaccine in Nepal. the ongoing spread. At the meeting on 30 July, the

Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) tabled a (Source: MoHP, UN, Media) proposal to enforce a 'smart lockdown', according to which, districts will be categorised with respect to their

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

• The lockdown period in most of DCA's working areas seriously and not ready to go for test, which calls for has extended with different modalities. an extension of lock-down and more intensive • In , the cases are decreasing. The awareness raising activities. Due to the heavy rainfall vaccination drive is on for people above 55 years old in the past week, rural roads are partially affected. and front liners. Markets are open and people are There is a high risk in Budhiganga riverside due the found wearing masks mostly, but they are hardly increase of water level. following the safety protocols. Due to this, there is • In , COVID-19 cases are increasing with high risk of cases rise in the days to come. 30-35% positivity rate. Many people are complaining • In , vaccination programme is ongoing. of viral fever. Despite this, life is much normal, and Local markets including district headquarter are fully people have returned to their respective occupations. open. People are still not getting COVID-19 Insufficient rainfall is causing problem for farmers as expand the facilities in COVID hospital / isolation. Few they worry for the production. arrangements can be observed such as emergency • In Dailekh District, the positivity rate of cases is very ambulance for health services, oxygen cylinders, staff high with more than 50% in the recent days. Few cases management. Due to heavy rainfall, floods in different are in institutional isolation and others in home areas have caused damage to individual houses in isolation. Oxygen plant is being installed in the health institution for preparation of the upcoming situation. Bhajani and Godawari and many paddy fields. • In , COVID-19 cases are rapidly • In , though the cases have not increased, increasing which has created more risk of transmission. it is at very high-risk of COVID-19 outbreak due to the • In , COVID-19 positive cases have been open border between Nepal and India, and high rising day by day which has created more risk. density of marginalised population. Vaccination programme is ongoing in all 13 local units. Considering the risk of third wave, Kailari Rural Municipality has started its preparation work to

• Monitoring of COVID-19 vaccine centres done in by partner INSEC. • COVID-19 safety kits were provided to HRDs of Lumbini and Sudurpaschim Provinces. • Health commodities supported to Laljhadi and Belauri health units in Kanchanpur District, Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) and helpdesk. • 3 cases related to women protection was supported to get access to justice by HRDs in . • Mobile 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. • Cash voucher distribution for food and nutrition support ongoing in Kanchanpur District. • Health and sanitation materials to CSOs, Chhalfal chautari (community forum) members and COVID-19 affected people supported in Dailekh District. • ‘Be Safe’ training conducted with proper safety measures in Dhangadhi and Nepalgunj. • Groups of volunteers being mobilised by the social mobilisers to maintain distance and safety measures in Banke District. • A new initiative on response and early recovery, is starting in Kanchanpur and Doti District, in close coordination with the ACT Alliance Members in Nepal (DCA, ICCO, LWF).

Hygiene and nutrition support for COVID-19 Health and Hygiene items support to Dhangadi Sub- infected families Metropolitan Office

DCA through local partner DWRF initiated digital cash transfer of NPR 4,500 to people affected by COVID-19 pandemic. The cash will be given to 500 HHs in Dhangadi to address the immediate food and nutrition needs of COVID-19 infected people who are in a vulnerable condition.

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DCA in coordination with local partner NNSWA has assisted the Bheemdatta Municipality with health supplies to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. The health items will be provided to all ward health institutions which will be then distributed to Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) who are being mobilised in the community.