Mount Everest has recorded its first coronavirus case

Posted in: 22nd Apr, 2021 Post Category: Blog Blog of Nepal

Ain’t no mountain high enough.

Not even the world’s tallest mountain is safe: Mount Everest recorded its first-ever coronavirus case after a member of a Base Camp expedition tested positive for COVID-19 last week.

The infected patient was initially believed to be suffering from high-altitude pulmonary edema and was airlifted to a hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. However, upon arrival, the alpinist tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the rest of the team to quarantine themselves at Base Camp.

The case comes just weeks after Everest — which is the world’s tallest mountain at 29,032 feet — reopened to climbers after being closed due to the pandemic.

One infection may not seem like much, but on Everest would be an “earthquake-like situation,” according to Dr. Sangeeta Poudel, a volunteer at the Himalayan Rescue Association.

In addition, coronavirus could easily be confused for altitude sickness as the two ailments share many symptoms, including cough, appetite loss, and trouble breathing.

Despite the danger, more than 300 climbers are expected to try scaling Everest this year, compared to the 381 who attempted the climb in 2019.