Kathmandu, Aug. 27 -- In January Nepal became the first country in South Asia tostart the Covid-19 vaccination drive.Today, despite delays and adevastating second wave,close to 15% of the population is fully inoculated.

Recent surveys show that 97% of Nepalis would take the Covid vaccines if available. Used to pollution, mask wearing is also high among urban Nepalis.

With minimal vaccine and mask resistance, Nepal should have by now had the pandemic under control. And although the spike in cases after the lockdown was partially lifted in July is flattening out, the dailydeath rateis still high and the risk of anew Covid-19 surgeis greater than before.

Graph from IHME for Nepalshowing reported total fatalities from Covid-19 (orange line...