Kathmandu, Aug 31 (IANS): Nepal has reported a record high increase in the number of single-day coronavirus cases and deaths, according to the Health Ministry.

"A total of 14 persons died in the last 24 hours taking the total number of deaths from the pandemic to 221," Xinhua news agency quoted Jageshwor Gautam, spokesperson of the Ministry of Health and Population, as saying at a press conference on Sunday.

The last highest fatality was observed on Saturday and Friday when the Nepali government reported 12 deaths each day.

On May 16, Nepal reported the first coronavirus death -- a 29-year-old woman.

Until July 21 since the first death, Nepal reported a total of 40 fatalities.

Also on Sunday, the country reported 1,221 new cases in the last 24 hours, also a record high single-day spike.

With the addition of new cases, the overall number of infections has reached 38,561.

After the lockdown was lifted in the country on July 22 which allowed almost all economic and social activities to operate, Covid-19 cases and deaths have continued to surge.