KATHMANDU, May 22 -- Nepal reported a total of 457 cases of COVID-19 disease as of Friday morning since the first case was confirmed on January 24.

According to the latest statement issued by the Ministry of Health and Population on Thursday night, three more persons were diagnosed with COVID-19--- a 32-year-old man from Narainapur-3, Banke, a 42-year-old female from Khajura-3 of same district and another 19-year-old male of Shuddhodhan Rural Municipality in Kapilvastu district. Their swab samples were tested at the provincial labs in Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj.

The ministry also confirmed 17 other cases on Thursday morning and nine others during its regular press briefing in the afternoon.

Of the total confirmed cases, three patients-- ...