By Lalit Basnet/ Netra Shahi, Surkhet, May 24: Growing number of Nepalis entering the country from Nepal-India border has increased the risk of COVID-19 infection in Surkhet.

Three people, who had entered Nepal from India had tested COVID-19 positive on Thursday.

According to Surkhet District Public Health Office, out of 790 people who had entered Nepal via Surkhet border point, 13 had tested positive for the virus in Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT).

The suspected COVID-19 patients were then kept in Birendranagar-based quarantine. “Three out of 13 COVID-19 suspects tested positive for the virus on Friday. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test was done in the Karnali Provincial Hospital,” said Chetanidhi Wagle, Chief of the Public Health Office.

Bista said that after they tested positive in re-test done at Bheri Hospital, Nepalgunj, virus infection was confirmed in the three entrants.

Out of three, two were from Barahatal Gaupalika and one was from Chukaune Gaupalika.

Wagle said that all of the COVID-19 patients were admitted to Corona Special Hospital, Surkhet.

Prior to this, a youth of Aathbis Municipality, Dailekh district, was identified with COVID-19 infection. He is also receiving treatment at the Surkhet-based Corona Special Hospital.

With this the COVID-19 tally in Karnali State has reached four.

The Karnali State government has anticipated that around 20,000 citizens of Karnali might return from India.

“Around 80,000 Karnali residents are in India out of which around 20,000 people might return to Nepal. Thus, the State government is working for their management and treatment,” said Mahendra Bahadur Shahi, State Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, a meeting of Karnali State Crisis Management Committee has decided to establish a unified quarantine in order to make it safer and well facilitated.

The meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shahi decided to establish a unified quarantine in the urban area having transportation facility in coordination with concerned district and local level.

Meanwhile, 2,760 people tested negative for COVID-19 in PCR test done at Karnali Academy of Health Sciences, Jumla.

Dr Niresh Thapa, rector of the academy said that all swab samples collected until Friday had tested negative for COVID-19.

Swab samples of officials of the academy, public health service office, health workers, journalists, Nepali Army officials and security officials, including 1291 people of Jumla, 715 of Kalikot, 408 of Humla and 346 of Mugu were collected for PCR test.