KATHMANDU, March 29: As an effort to reaching to the persons who are in close contact to the reportedly cases of COVID-19, the government has begun a search for such persons.
People who were in touch with coronavirus affected persons and families would be brought under this initiative. The search was intensified as five persons were tested positive for COVID-19 so far and they may have remained in contacts with several persons until reaching to hospital.
According to Health Ministry’s Spokesperson Dr Bikas Devkota, they were tracing other passengers arriving Nepal via the same aircraft carrying 19- year-old lady from Qatar, who was tested positive for COVID-19.
What is contact tracing, and how does it work with COVID-19?
Dr Devkota added that the five persons tested for COVID-19 positive are in normal condition and are undergoing treatment at hospitals. He added that thousands of people were contacting at the toll-free number of the Ministry and have been benefited from it every day.
He further shared that 917 persons so far have had tests on the suspect of coronavirus. So far, 12 individuals are kept in isolation including five in Teku Hospital, six in Patan Hospital and one in Kanti Children Hospital.
Similarly, Director General at the Health Service Division Mahendra Shrestha shared that the medical equipment to fight against coronavirus outbreak have arrived in the country and some were purchased while some others were received in donation.
He added that the materials were purchased in a transparent way and urged all not to spread rumours that the equipment were purchased by paying high prices.
Shrestha further shared that the preparations were on to establish the COVID-19 testing labs in each states in the country.
