KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Health and Population has said more than Rs 3 billion has been spent to trace people infected with coronavirus in Nepal so far.

According to Dr Jageshwor Gautam, the spokesperson at the Ministry, Rs 3,189,444,500 was spent to conduct PCR tests on  579,899 people to track down the people infected with the virus.

A total of 30,483 people were confirmed to have been infected only after spending over Rs 3 billion.

Based on the above-mentioned statistics, the government has spent Rs 104,600 to diagnose a single case of coronavirus, said Gautam.

Similarly, around Rs 450,000 is required if a coronavirus patient has to be kept at ICU, added Gautam.

Meanwhile, Gautam has urged one and all not to come out their houses during the prohibitory order and strictly follow safety guidelines determined by the government saying that the diagnosis and treatment expenses for coronavirus are very costly.