By Deepak Prasad Gautam, Birgunj, Aug. 9: As many as 71 persons have tested positive for COVID-19 in Parsa in the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test report which came out late on Saturday night.

"A total of 75 persons including nine Nepal Police (NP) official and an official of the office of Consulate General of India, Birgunj were found with the virus infection on Saturday night," said Dr. Madan Upadhyaya, medical superintendent of Narayani Hospital.

Likewise, two officials, one male and one female, of Narayani Hospital were also found with the virus infection.

Of the 75 positive cases, 71 are from Parsa, three are from Bara and one is from Sarlahi. A deceased person of Parsa, whose swab sample was collected for PCR test, was also found to be COVID-19 positive.

"60 males and 15 females, belonging to age group from 12 o 68 years were found with the virus infection," informed Dr. Upadhyaya.

Arun Kumar Mahato, Chief of Health Division of the Birgunj Metropolitan City (BMC), has also tested positive for the virus.

Mahato had come in direct contact with Birgunj's Mayor, Bijaya Kumar Sarawagi and Chief Administrative Officer, Pradip Niraula, who were infected with the virus.

Of the 75 COVID-19 infected, eight persons were symptomatic, 29 persons were detected via contact tracing and 11 had voluntarily signed up for PCR test.

Two male officials aged 39 and 50 of BMC Fire Control and 46 officials of BMC working at various wards were detected with the virus infection.

The virus infection was found in Ganesh Tole, Link Road, Radhemai, Nagawa, Ghadiarwa, Mahabir Tole, Kumhal Tole, Bhiswa, Patelnagar, Power House, Chinimil Quarter, Panitanky, Pipara, Shreepur, Murli, Bahadurmai Municipality, Parsagadhi Municipality, Paterwa Sugauli Rural Municipality, Jira Bhawani Rural Municipality, Amarpatti and Pakahamainpur Rural Municipality.