KATHMANDU: The CPN-Maoist Center has instructed all 1,700 delegates attending the recently held general convention to undergo a PCR test.

Maoist Center’s central office Chief Secretary Shri Ram Dhakal said all the delegates have been strictly instructed to undergo PCR test and adopt caution as the COVID19 infection was confirmed in many staffers and leaders, including the party chair, after the general convention.

The party asked all delegates to undergo a PCR test through province committees.

Dhakal said half a dozen leaders, including Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha, and a dozen other party office staffers have contracted the coronavirus.

The party also halted all non-essential works at the Parisdanda-based central office from Thursday. Prachanda’s personal secretary Ramesh Malla has also been diagnosed with the virus infection.

COVID19 infection has been detected in many leaders following the Maoist Center’s 8^th general convention that concluded last Sunday.

The general convention ran for 8 days with over 1,700 delegates participating in the gathering.