The Ministry for Health and Population has stated that swab samples for COVID-19 test were being collected and tested regularly to detect and treat COVID-19 cases in the country.

Speaking at the daily press conference here today, Ministry’s Spokesperson Dr Bikash Devkota shared that so far 1,796 nasal and throat swab samples have been tested in the National Public Health Laboratory.

While no new case of COVID-19 was detected recently, the health condition of the eight people who tested positive for the deadly infection was normal, according to Dr Devkota.

Devkota shared that COVID-19 test were conducted in nine places out of the Kathmandu Valley including Kailali and Kanchanpur districts. The Ministry said that 21 swab samples were collected from Kanchanpur while 18 from Kailali. Collection of swab sample has been started in Jumla and Acham district as well. Preparations have been made for collecting as many 400 swab samples from these districts.

So far, 16 people suspected to have contracted COVID-19 were kept in isolation in Kathmandu while 84 suspects were being quarantined in various places across the country to prevent the possible spread of the deadly infection.

The Ministry also mentioned that the Joint Medical Team of the Birendra Army Hospital has imparted training to a total of 26 health workers to detect and treat the COVID-19 infected persons.

Meanwhile, Minister for Health and Population Bhanubhakta Dhakal, on the occasion of the World Health Day today, has extended his high regard for those health workers throughout the country working relentlessly and enthusiastically in the government’s fight against COVID-19.

Issuing a press statement here today, Minister Dhakal acknowledged the role of more than 92,000 female community health volunteers to help improve the health condition of the Nepali people. He urged them to play their part in the government’s fight against the pandemic.

According to him, the government has decided to provide each of them Rs 1,500 as motivational allowances for their contribution during this pandemic.

Expressing his gratitude towards all the foreign returnees, Nepalis who cooperated with the government and stayed in quarantine to help stem the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country, the Ministry urged one and all for full implementation of the nation-wide lockdown enforced to stem the spread of the infection.