Kathmandu, Aug. 19 -- When Lalbahadur Shah of Birganj died last week, none of his relatives showed up for his funeral even though he tested negative for Covid-19. With no family, friends and neighbours attending, the Muslim community members took it upon themselves to perform his final rites as per the Hindu faith.

Shah had hypertension and diabetes, although he had tested positive forSARS-CoV-2,he had recovered from the infection. He succumbed to other health complications.

Across Nepal, people infected with the virus, even those who have recovered, have beenshunned by neighbours and society.Migrant returnees and their families have been singled out and humiliated. Doctors and health workers have been harassed by landlords.

This is no...