COVID-19 test begins in Bhaktapur Hospital

BHAKTAPUR: The test for COVID-19 has begun in Bhaktapur Hospital after the hospital received kit for rapid diagnosis of the infection.

Superintendent of Bhaktapur Hospital, Dr Sumitra Gautam informed that people returning from abroad and others suspected to have contracted the virus will be tested at the Hospital from Sunday.

Some 300 test-kits have been sent to the hospital by the Ministry of Health in Bagmati Province.

Persons tested positive for COVID-19 will be treated in isolation in the hospital. However, in case of further treatment and test, the infected people will be sent to the Teku-based Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital (STIDH).

The hospital has so far collected nasal and throat swabs of 154 suspected people and sent to the National Public Health Laboratory.

Among them, 90 were tested negative while results were awaited for the rest 64.

According to hospital sources, around 30 to 50 people infected with flu and fever have been visiting the hospital on a daily basis.

The hospital has currently 10-bed isolation. Eight people are currently undergoing treatment in isolation.

Bhaktapur Municipality Mayor Madan Sundar Shrestha stated that 62 foreign returnees were identified in four municipalities in Bhaktapur district.

Sample swabs were collected from them and being tested.