(Ram Bahadur Thapa)

The COVID-19 rapid test has been undergoing here at local level. All local levels with have rapid tests on 971 suspected of COVID-19 in the district till coming Monday.

Public Health Office in the district has informed that the coronavirus rapid test would be conducted on all of those come home from abroad and others come on their contact. Health technicians have been mobilized across the district for the rapid tests.

Although 95 persons were tested negative, detailed information to this would be shared by the Health Ministry. Among them, 28 were from Baglung municipality, 59 from Badigau rural municipality and seven from Tamankhola rural municipality.

Public Health Office chief Suraj Gurau informed that plan was afoot to test 192 persons from Baglung municipality, 78 from Dhorpatan municipality and Tamankhola rural municipality combined, 56 from Bareng rural municipality, 86 from Jaimini municipality, 103 from Nishikhola rural municipality, 56 from Khathekhola municipality, 161 from Badigad rural municipality, 128 from Galkot municipality and 33 from Tarakhola rural municipality.

"Four teams have been mobilized across the district for rapid test," Gurau said, adding that they are working in close coordination of respective local levels. The persons suspected of the coronavirus and staying in quarantine would be tested.

The rapid test was begun from Dhorpatan, Badigad, Tamankhola and Nishikhola on Friday would complete there today. For Sunday, the test is scheduled in Baglung, Kathekhola, Galkot, Jaimini and Tarakhola, while test in Bareng is planned on Monday.

The rapid test report is produced within 15 minutes. If the result is positive, swab is collected and sent to the State public health laboratory, Pokhara for further test and verification.