By Homraj Ranabhat, Kawasoti (Nawalparasi), July 17: Following the detection of COVID-19 case in the community for the first time, the Gaidakot Municipality of the district has been sealed for a week.

After five security officials of the Gaidakot Area Police Office tested positive for the virus, all officials working in the area police office have been shifted to the District Police Office and new group has been appointed in the Gaidakot Area Police Office, said Deepak Regmi, Deputy Superintendent of Police.

All the regular services of the Area Police Office have been halted. As new cases of virus infection were detected in ward no. 2 and 4, the municipality will be sealed off completely till July 23, informed Chatra Raj Poudel, mayor of Gaidakot Municipality.

The community transmission of the virus was recorded for the first time in Nawalparasi (East). Until now, as many as 18 people, including five police officials have tested positive for the virus, thereby increasing fear amongst the locals, said Krishna Prasad Neupane, ward chair of Gaidakot Municipality-4.

Of the infected, eight are the residents of Gaidakot-2 and five were living in quarantine.

The municipality is in high alert after the detection of COVID-19 cases. The municipality holds the highest rate of COVID-19 infection in Gandaki State.