Kathmandu, April 14: The government has informed that sample tests have been conducted on more than 12,900 people so far across the country. Spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Populations, Dr Bikash Devkota, shared the information on Tuesday that with both real time polymerase change reaction (PCR) and rapid diagnostic test (RDT), the number of tests for coronavirus has so far reached 12,906.

Among these, 16 cases have been confirmed positive for COVID-19. The PCR is conducted from various 11 places while the RDT is conducted across 56 districts. The PCR system has tested 6,299 persons while RDT 6,606 persons.

On Tuesday alone, 582 persons' swab was tested on PCR and RDT was conducted on 1,316 persons. RDT was adopted for quick identification of the COVID-19 suspects.

Spokesperson Dr Devkota further shared that there were 99 persons were put in isolation at various hospitals. Among them, 12 are from Kathmandu Valley and 87 from outside.

Among those getting self-tested via mobile app, nine persons were kept in 'red zone'. So far, 228 persons were kept in red zone. Similarly, contact tracing has been launched among the relatives and those close to the COVID-19 infected persons in Kailali and Rautahat since Monday.

Two persons from SunCity apartment of Pepsicola tested positive to COVID-19 today. Contract tracing in Sun City was also going on.

So far, 5,771 persons are in quarantine.

Director at the National Public Health Laboratory, Dr Runa Jha said at the press meet that RDT was conducted for quick information about the virus. It has been practiced in various countries across the globe including Nepal.

RDT is done in the field which provides result within 15 minutes. RDT shows the possibility of COVID-19 infection while PCR is used for confirmation. PCR system provides result in six hours.