Swab collection slows down in Sudurpaschim Province

DHANGADHI: The pace to collect nasal and throat swabs for the COVID-19 test has slowed down in Sudurpaschim State lately.

Last week, altogether 2,351 swab samples were collected from various places in the State.

During this course, 392 new cases of Coronavirus infection were reported. Seti Province Hospital, Dhangadhi COVID-29 Treatment Department Chief Dr. Sher Bahadur Kamar said that the infection cases were increasing but the rate to collect the swab for the test was declining due to the shortage of health workers.

According to Dr. Kamar, pneumonia, common cold among other patients showing COVID-19’s symptoms were also increasing in the Province.

Health Directorate Dipayal COVID-19 Contact Person Hemraj Joshi shared that the decrease in the swab collection was also due to the revised criteria which state that the nasal and throat swab be collected from those COVID-19 patients with symptoms and those coming in their contacts as well as those suspected to have contracted the flu-like infection.

A total of 38 COVID-19 patients have succumbed to this deadly infection in the Sudurpaschim Province till date.