Kathmandu, March 17 -- Shiva Ale Magar answers hundreds of phone calls every day, fielding questions regarding Covid-19, its cause, symptoms, how it spreads and precautions to limit its spread.

Magar, a 28-year-old high school graduate, duly records the name, age and location of the caller before hanging up and immediately answering the phone, which does not cease to ring.

"Covid-19 is a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans," he explains in response to a query about what the disease is. He then provides a list of symptoms-trouble breathing, dry cough and fever above 100.4, before going to provide precautionary measures.

"For precaution, you need to wash your hands with soap and...