Three Indian nationals residing in the city of Birgunj in Parsa district have tested positive for Covid-19, according to the Health Ministry.
Nasal and throat swabs from the three individuals had initially tested positive in Hetauda on Friday, after which the samples had been dispatched to the National Public Health Laboratory in Kathmandu for confirmation. The laboratory confirmed Covid-19 in all samples Saturday evening, according to Dr Roshan Pokhrel, chief specialist at the Health Ministry.
“All three have been sent to the isolation facility set up at Narayani Provincial Hospital in Birgunj,” said Pokhrel. “Contact tracing of people who had come in close contact with them has also started.”
Dr Madan Kumar Upadhayay, medical superintendent at the Narayan hospital confirmed that three Indian nationals have been in the hospital’s isolation ward since Friday, but refrained from confirming Covid-19 as he was not authorised to speak to the media.
Test samples from 33 people who were in quarantine had been collected for testing on Thursday after a few presented symptoms. Three subsequently tested positive.
Saturday’s confirmation brings the total number of Covid-19 cases detected in Nepal to 12.
