DHANGADHI, April 17: Tests for coronavirus have slowed in Sudur PaschimProvince due to the lack of test kits.

Although the rapid diagnostic test (RDT) is going ahead in a vigorous manner, tests according to the polymerase change reaction (PCR) have been very slow.

Two thousand three hundred and ninety-one samples were tested using the PCR technology until April 13.

Similarly, a total of 2,520 samples had been tested until April 14 and only 2,528 as of April 16. The Regional Health Service Directorate Dipayal said the reports of 751 samples had been obtained as of April 13, of 976 samples had been obtained as of April 14 and of a total 1,071 samples were available as of April 15.

Of all the samples for which results have been obtained, 1472 samples have tested negative. Only five samples have tested positive. It is said the results of 1,051 samples are still awaited. The results have also been late in coming, according to the health experts.

Similarly, a total of 2,309 samples were tested as per RDT as of April 13 while this number has reached 3,509 as of April 15. All samples have tested negative under RDT. The RDT was conducted of samples collected from suspected patients in Kailali and Kanchanpur districts of the Province in the beginning.

Now, it has been expanded to all nine districts. Sudur Paschim Province government's Social Development Minister Krishna Raj Subedi said they have not been able to speed up the collection of test samples and their testing due to the geographical difficulty and the lack of test kits.

"The required number of tests as per the PCR method too have not been conducted due to the lack of VTM, the device for storing the collected throat swab samples. We are effortful in bringing the required kits and devices from the center," he said.

 
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