COVID-19 test intensified along Nepal-India borders in Sudurpashim

COVID-19 test has been intensified along the Nepal-India borders in the Sudurpaschim Province in view of a surge in the infections in the southern neighbour.

According to the Sudurpashim Province Health Directorate, the test has been intensified at five transit points in Kailali, Kanchanpur, Baitadi and Darchula targeting returnees from India.

With India reporting rising infections of a new sub-variant of Omicron variant of COVID-19 in India and China, the test along the entry points has been regularized and intensified, Directorate pandemic focal person Hemraj Joshi said. “We all should be alert to the infection risk of the new sub-variant of Omicron,” he said.

The test for returnees from India is available on the arrival at Trinagar customs and Khakrula checkpoint in Kailali, Gaddachauki check point in Kanchanpur, Jhulaghat of Baitadi and Pulghat of Darchula.

“A professional health team has been deputed along the border areas since the first wave of the pandemic. The province movement is aware of the arrival of the new sub variant and working to minimize the risk,” Joshi added.

As in the entire country, there is shortage of vaccines in Sudurpaschim province as well.”The booster dose should be administered every six months. The process is underway for vaccine procurement lately and there is shortage everywhere, but it will arrive soon,” Joshi said.

Similarly, the ‘holding centres’ are also readied in Dhangadhi of Kailalia and Mahendranagar of Kanchanpur for sheltering people during the pandemic. “Vaccination programme will be started again once the vaccines arrive. The citizens too should adopt health safety measures and become alert to be safe from the pandemic,” he added.

Six hundred thirty-five persons have succumbed to the Coronavirus infection in Sudurpaschim so far, according to the Directorate. Six hundred nineteen thousand 373 tests for coronavirus infection were conducted in the province. No cases have been detected here of late.