Just weeks after the world’s tallest peak was reopened to climbers, at least one climber tested positive for Covid-19.
A Norwegian climber has become the first to be tested positive. Erlend Ness was isolated in hospital for eight nights.
According to the reports a Sherpa had also tested positive.
The Coronavirus pandemic is a big blow to Nepal as it relies heavily on Everest expeditions. Majority of the income is generated by this means.
Mr Ness thinks that he could have “done more” to protect himself. Like he should have washed hands more regularly or wore mask whole day.
“Not many people used masks on the trek,” recalled Mr Ness.
After being sick for six days, he was evacuated from the mountains on April 15 via helicopter.
He was taken to the hospital in Nepali capital Kathmandu. There he was tested positive for the virus three times.
Now he has recovered and was tested negative on April 22.
Covid in Nepal
Around 285,000 coronavirus cases have been registered in Nepal. And more than 3,000 people have died.
Because of low testing capacity in the Himalayan state, the number of unreported cases is much higher.
Recently, the government in Kathmandu eased entry restrictions. Tourists are required to show a vaccination certificate. Negative PCR report will also work, but it should not be more than three days old.
Hundreds of foreign climbers would resume their ascent this spring season, beginning in April.
Covid precautions
Wearing mask is made mandatory at the mountain’s base camp. Climbers are warned to maintain distance from all the other individuals.
Furtenbach Adventures is an Australian expedition company operated by Lukas Furtenbach. He said that his whole team was being tested on a regular basis. But according to him people are not taking the virus seriously.
“I’m still seeing some teams using social media platforms to invite everyone at the base camp to a party,” Furtenbach said.
