KATHMANDU: The government has initiated PCR tests of office assistants, drivers and the staffers of Singha Durbar exposed to direct contact with the public.

According to Mahendra Prasad Guragain, the Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the government has initiated the swab collection of 500-700 Singha Durbar staffers so as to assess the COVID-19 status in the valley especially among the conscious mass.

The Kathmandu Valley, which has seen 477 coronavirus cases so far, reported 53 new cases on Tuesday alone. Out of 53 new cases on Tuesday, 13 were from the Nepal Police.

Out of the total cases in the Valley, Kathmandu has reported 336 cases, whereas Lalitpur and Bhaktapur have recorded 90 and 50 cases respectively.