Two suspected coronavirus patients were admitted at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Teku, said the Ministry of Health and Population.

A woman and a man, both of whom had recently returned from China, have been kept in isolation at the Teku hospital. Both of them had visited different hospitals complaining of respiratory problems.

After Nepal confirmed its first case of coronavirus, the health ministry asked hospitals to prepare contingency plans to help prevent the disease spread.

The ministry has asked hospitals for internal plans within three days.

Currently Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital has been designated as focal point for treatment of coronavirus suspect patients.

The number of coronavirus cases has reached almost 1,300 worldwide, with 41 deaths reported in China alone.

Cases have also been reported in Japan, Thailand, South Korea, the US, Australia, France, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

A doctor treating coronavirus patients in the Chinese city of Wuhan died yesterday morning.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from common cold to more severe diseases.

Common signs of infection include fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

In more severe cases infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Standard recommendations for preventing infection include regular hand-washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs and avoiding contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness.