A woman from Kathekhola rural municipality in Baglung has tested positive for COVID-19 in rapid diagnostic test.
Her youngest son confirmed the positive test with Setopati and added that discussions are on for further test. "Health workers have said she has tested positive but needs retesting," he stated.
He said the family went for rapid diagnostic tests done by a team of health workers that reached the village as his mother, elder brother and the brother's wife had gone to India for pilgrimage a month back.
He complained about the behavior of health workers after his mother tested positive. "There were around 10 staffers and they left in a hurry once the result came. They could at least have given counseling," he rued. "Mom is feeling weak now."
Two health workers in the end informed us of the result and advised to coordinate with the rural municipality.
He revealed that his mother does not show any sign of fever and cold. "Ward chairman and a team of health workers have arrived now. We are discussing what to do."
Chairman of the rural municipality Amar Bahadur Thapa said preparations are on to quarantine the woman in the ward itself. He claimed that all 57 persons in Kathekhola who arrived from abroad have been tested and all of them apart from the woman have tested negative.
Chief of the Public Health Office in Baglung Suraj Gurau told Setopati that the woman's swab will be sent to Pokhara for test on Monday.
The rapid diagnostic kits brought from China does serological tests looking for antibodies produced by the immune system after being infected.