Nepal's move to allow people to continue climbing its Himalayan peaks as COVID-19 sweeps the country has been dealt a further setback after 19 mountaineers tested positive for the virus.

Last month, it was reported that the pandemic had reached Everest base camp, and although officials later denied this, climbers reported a surge of infections that were being concealed.

It has now been revealed that 19 people tested positive at the Dhaulagiri base camp, the world's seventh highest mountain and part of the same range as Everest.

Mingma Sherpa, the chair of Seven Summit Treks running an expedition at Dhaulagiri base camp, confirmed that four climbers were flown to Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, Tuesday after rapid diagnostic tests at the camp revealed they were positive.

On Monday, three positive cases were discovered at Dhaulagiri, and 11 more were discovered Wednesday.

Mountaineers and officials at the Everest base camp also said that the lack of a coronavirus testing facility at the base camp health clinic was a major handicap.

May usually provides 10 to 15 days of good weather for summiting Mount Everest and the country's other peaks.

The reported infections at Everest Base Camp come at a time when Nepal, like neighboring India, is dealing with a new wave of coronavirus cases and deaths. According to The Kathmandu Post, Nepal's health ministry reported 58 new COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday, with a new daily record of 8,605 coronavirus infections.

Although these figures pale in comparison to India's more than 382,000 cases recorded Wednesday, Nepal's population of 29 million is a tiny fraction of that of its southern neighbor.

Dhaulagiri is one of the world's highest peaks, and it is a popular destination for foreign climbers. This season, 33 members of five expedition teams have been given permits to climb Dhaulagiri.

Overall, Nepal has given climbing permits to 740 climbers this season, including 408 for Everest, but the Dhaulagiri outbreak has called Nepal's climbing season into question.

International flights have already been halted until May 14.