By Dev Bahadur Kunwar, Kathmandu, May 20: The Kalimati area has been sealed off from Wednesday morning after a police constable and a sub inspector of Metropolitan Police Circle, Kalimati, tested positive for COVID-19.

Likewise, after a person was detected to be infected with COVID-19, Maitidevi area in the capital city has also been sealed off.

According to Metropolitan Police Range, Kathmandu, the Traffic Police Office and Women Cell of Kalimati Police Circle have been sealed.

Shyam Gyawali, Chief of the Kalimati Circe said movement in the area was prohibited considering the threat of COVID-19 hovering over police officials and general public.

Main entrance of the Police office has been closed. All police officials working at Kalimati have been kept within the circle by maintaining social distance.

More security forces from Swoyambhu and Kritipur have been deployed in Kalimati area, said Gyawali.

He added that the RT-PCR report of the police officials would be obtained by Thursday.

Currently, as many as 250 security officials were working at the Police Circle. Also, a detainees in the circle were freed on Wednesday morning.

The COVID-19 infected police personnel are receiving treatment at Balambu-based Armed Police Force Hospital.

Suspected to have been infected at Kalimati fruits and vegetables market

In a telephone conversation, the COVID-19 infected sub inspector said that no symptoms of the virus were seen. I think I got infected with the virus from the crowd at Kalimati fruits and vegetables market.

He said that his families, who reside at Baneshwor, were also in high risk of COVID-19 infection.

"I got infected with the virus while performing my duty," he said.

COVID-19 tally in valley hits 19

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 tally in Kathmandu valley has reached 19. Entry of a large number of people from Terai region despite the lockdown has increased the COVID-19 cases here.

According to Metropolitan Police Office, Ranipokhari, out of 19 patients, 12 were from Kathmandu, five from Bhaktapur and two were from Lalitpur.

Out of 12 COVID-19 patients, four have returned home after recovering from the virus.

11 security officials infected

11 frontline security personnel of Nepali Army (NA), Nepal Police (NP), Armed Police Force (APF) and National Investigation Department (NID) have been infected with the virus until now.

Out of 11 COVID-19 infected, two are NA officials, five NP officials, three APF officials and one is from NID.

Out of the infected security officials, two are in Janakpur, four each in Kapilvastu and Kathmandu, two are one is in Bara.