BAGLUNG, August 26: COVID-19 tests are being carried out using Antigen Kits on random people walking in the streets of Baglung as prohibitory orders continue to be in place in the district. The tests are being carried out in every main street of Baglung starting Monday. All 93 people tested at the Loktantrik Chowk on Wednesday tested negative for COVID-19, according to Ram Prasad Khanal, Public Health Officer at Baglung Municipality.   

According to Khanal, COVID-19 antigen tests were carried out on 25 people in Upallachaur on Wednesday and 50 people at Narayanchowk on Monday. Among the people tested at Narayanchowk, one tested positive for COVID but the rest reported negative. "We will continue to conduct antigen tests everyday. Testing people on the streets discourages them from walking around unnecessarily," Khanal said.

Earlier, a meeting of the District COVID-19 Crisis Management Center (DCCMC) decided to increase the frequency of antigen testing. Those who refuse to go through the tests - even those who are hesitant - have been tested after being convinced. Testing by the antigen method gives immediate reports. Public Health Officer Khanal said that antigens only show positive results in people with symptoms. The antigen method is considered suitable for early detection of the COVID-19 infection and to find the updates on the pandemic in the community.

So far, 3,455 antigen tests have been carried out on random people while 22,287 people have gone through PCR tests in the district. Of the total tested people, 7,429 have tested positive for COVID-19. There are 370 active cases of the disease in the district. A total of 65 people have lost their lives to the disease. Strict prohibitory orders have been put in place to control the infection in the district. 

 
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