Nepal's tourism authorities have refuted reports of the COVID-19 outbreak at Mount Qomolangma, also known as Mount Everest, and other mountain base camps.

Nepal's Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation said that no cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at Mount Qomolangma in a statement issued on Friday.

The ministry also urged the media not to disseminate unsubstantiated information that might cause panic and fear among climbers and families.