Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS) has started laboratory tests for COVID-19 infection from today.

At a press conference today, Ministry spokesperson Dr Bikas Devkota shared that coronavirus infection test has also begun from Dharan on Saturday. Before this, coronavirus infection test was carried out only in Kathmandu-based National Public Health Laboratory.

He also shared that the sample tests would also be carried out in Hetauda, Nepalgunj and Pokhara once the medical equipment and assistance imported from China arrives later tonight. He further shared that an additional call centre has been added today to make public aware about COVID-9. With this, two call centres (1115 and 1133) have been in place to disseminate information about the coronavirus.

Spokesperson Devkota clarified that the 19-year-old girl from Kathmandu, who tested positive for COVID-19 and undergoing treatment at Teku-based Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, has not been discharged as reported by media and social networking sites. "She has not been discharged from the hospital and is undergoing treatment at Teku hospital," he said.

Ministry Spokesperson Dr Devkota further shared that one additional person has tested positive for coronavirus today, reaching the number of infected to five in the country. A 19-year-old girl from Baglung who returned Nepal from Belgium via Qatar on 17 March tested positive for the virus, he confirmed. She would be treated in Baglung itself.

Number of sample tests would be increased with the rise in the number of infections, he said, urging the general public to stay inside home to not allow the spread of virus.

As of today, 875 sample tests have been performed. The health status of a youth who tested positive at the State hospital in Dhangadhi on last Friday is normal now. Four people suspected of carrying the virus are kept in isolation and four in quarantine in Teku Hospital.