Sixth Nepali tests positive for COVID-19

Kathmandu - The number of COVID-19 confirmed case has reached six in the country. Spokesperson of Ministry of Health and Population Dr Bikas Devkota shared this information at a regular press conference today. The sixth confirmed is a woman from Baglung. Dr Devkota said she had returned Nepal from Doha, Qatar via Qatar Air's QR 652 aircraft on 17 March. Among the six infected so far, the first corona infected patient had returned home after treatment and cure. The second is a 19-year-old girl who arrived Kathmandu from France via the same Qatar Airways flight no. QR 652. She tested positive for coronavirus infection on March 23. It has been confirmed that the third infected was from Dhading, fourth from Dhangadhi and fifth Baglung.

Dr Devkota shared that samples from total 1,184 persons have been tested for virus infection as of today. Noting that different hospitals have started collecting sample swabs, he shared the Army Hospital has collected swabs from over 17 suspected persons. He also said besides National Public Health Laboratory in Kathmandu, the BP Koirala Institute of Health Science in Dharan and Kaski-based Pokhara Institute of Health Science are also conducting swab tests for COVID-19. Necessary laboratory instruments have already been installed in Butwal, Surkhet, Hetauda and Dhangadhi and are being kept under test operation, he said. Equipment for the test has already been installed in Janakpur. A total of 105 patients including 16 in Kathmandu valley are undergoing treatment in isolation wards across the country, the doctor said. The COVID-19 call centre set up by Ministry has so far received 2,759 inquiries concerning more about tests for COVID-19 and procurement of personal protective equipment.