14 swab collection centres designated in Kathmandu valley

By Sharad Sharma, KATHMANDU:  The Ministry of Health and Population has designated 14 swab collection centres in the valley, in order to extend the scope of testing for COVID-19.

The people who have come into contact with the suspected infected and returning from high-risk zone among others can have their swab samples taken at these centres, according to MoHP assistant spokesperson Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari. Those falling under the set criteria will undergo the test for free. The sample collections centres are Patan Hospital, Civil Hospital, TU Teaching Hospital, Sukraj Tropical and Communicable Diseases Hospital, Birendra Army Hospital, Star Hospital, Nepal Police hospital, Bhaktapur hospital, Kathmandu medical college, Bir Hospital, Armed Police Force hospital, Paropakar maternity hospital, HAMS hospital and Nepal-Korea Friendship hospital.

Swab samples will be collected in the centres from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm every day. Samples can also be collected from the designated COVID-19 hub hospital, COVID-19 clinic hospital, COVID-19 hospital level 1, 2 and 3.

Meanwhile, the Epidemiology and Communicable Disease Control Division has been collected swab samples to test for Corona Virus from the frontline workers, at their workplace itself. Land tax and survey offices, banks, hospitals, cleaning staff, vegetable vendors, security personnel among others have been targeted.

The swab collection in the newly designated 14 centres will begin from tomorrow.