Swab collection stops in Siraha, increasing COVID-19 risk

Kathmandu - Collection of throat and nasal swab of suspected coronavirus cases has stopped in Siraha since the last two weeks, increasing the risk of further spread of COVID-19. The collection of swabs has halted in Siraha since June 1 after none of the laboratory among the Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS) and the labs at Rajbiraj, Janakpur, Biratnagar, Birgunj and Kathmandu.

"Neither the lab at BPKIHS at Dharan nor the ones at Biratnagar, Rajbiraj, Janakpur and Teku have agreed to take the swabs. Actually we send the collected swabs to Janakpur and Kathmandu for testing. But Janakpur has send a letter saying not to send the swabs now and Teku (Kathmandu) has said the same.