May 6 2021, At least 17 climbers at mount Everest base camp in Nepal have been confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus, foreign media reported. Mountaineers and doctors at the base camp say more and more people are showing symptoms of contracting the new coronavirus.
“We have received reports from hospitals in the capital Kathmandu that 17 climbers have contracted the coronavirus,” said Sherpa, an official with Nepal’s Himalayan Rescue Association, according to India’s Print newspaper and BBC 5. We are now asking the expedition team to let us know before sending the sick team to Kathmandu so that we can know what happened. ”
Dr. Kerrell, a colleague at Sherpa’s base camp clinic on Mount Everest, says the number of people with symptoms of new coronaviruses, such as persistent coughs and fevers, is increasing every day, and medical staff want to make sure that people with symptoms are quarantined. The captain of an expedition also told the media that while coughing symptoms are common among climbers, other symptoms such as fever and physical pain are now present.
The BBC says the number of coronavirus cases in Nepal has risen sharply in recent weeks, with the highest infection rate among India’s neighbours. Mountaineers fear the outbreak could have “devastating consequences” if it hits Mount Everest.
