BHAKTAPUR: Municipalities of Bhaktapur district have started collecting samples of the people returned from abroad countries for the test of coronavirus infection.

Sample collection has begun after the identification of 146 returnees in Bhaktapur, Madhyapurthimi, Changunarayan and Suryabinayak municipalities.

Mayor of Madhyapurthimi municipality, Madan Sundar Shrestha, shared they along with health workers have recorded the travel history of 41 returnees from different countries in Madhyapurthimi municipality by reaching their doorsteps and also examined their health.

Shrësthã said swabs of five coronavirus disease suspects were sent to Teku-based National Public Health Laboratory and a report of the lab test is awaited.

Similarly, Suryabinayak municipality has identified 71 returnees in its territory and asked them to stay at home in isolation, said an administrative officer at the municipality, Kamal Gyawali.

He further said those returned from abroad would be kept at quarantine if they did not follow the municipality’s request.

Changunarayan municipality has identified 17 returnees and collection of their details was underway, said
Changunarayan’s administrative officer Chiranjivi Timsena. Bhaktapur Municipality has so far recorded details of 17 returnees in the area.

Saying collecting details of returnees was on through local levels, Chief District Officer Homkala Pandey shared the returnees have been kept under health and security surveillance at home quarantine.

An arrangement has been made to inform the local level or health workers in case of any health problem. Meanwhile, Bhaktapur Hospital has started collecting swabs of the people returned from abroad and sending the samples to the Teku-based health lab for coronavirus tests.

Superintendent of Bhaktapur Hospital, Dr. Sumitra Gautam, said swabs of 19 returnees have been collected till Monday and sent to the national lab. Of them, 11 tested negative and the reports of remaining have yet to be received.