KANCHANPUR: Tests for coronavirus through PCR have been affected in Sudurpaschim Province since Thursday due to lack of kits, said the province health directorate.
“The Ministry of Health and Population is said to be supplying kits. The shipments are expected to arrive by tonight.
Fifty-five swab samples collected have yet to be tested for want of kits. Only the health directorate in the province has been testing swabs through PCR,” said Hemraj Joshi, contact person for the directorate.
The province government has decided to set up laboratories in Baitadi and Doti districts to test for the infection through PCR.
“A feasibility study in this regard has been carried out,” he said. Of swabs of 2,923 suspected collected until Thursday, five were tested positive for the virus and reports of others were negative.
Of the infected, four were discharged from hospitals after being cured.
So far, 17,524 suspected people were tested for the infection in the province through PCR and rapid diagnostic test, he said.
Comment