Kathmandu, Mar. 23: Minister for Health and Population Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal today said the government would rescue and provide free treatment to COVID-19 infected people. "Any infected person will be rescued through airway or land and treated," he said at a press conference the Ministry called over coronavirus crisis. He also urged the adoption of additional caution following the confirmation of an infection case today.

A 19-year-old woman who arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday from France through Qatar transit has been tested positive for the infection, said the Ministry's Spokesperson Dr Bikash Devkota. The infected woman is receiving treatment at Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital in Teku.

Stating that earlier a Nepali person was also tested positive for the virus and has been cured after 10 day's treatment, he pledged that the infected woman would also be provided proper treatment and cured.

He also said those who have come in contact with her would be quarantined and provided treatment. "Family of the infected woman has been quarantined. A search has been launched for her friends, who reached Kathmandu along with her. All of them would be quarantined," he said.

Appraising about government's decision to seal all the border points with India and China since Monday, he shared that the Nepalis entering into Nepal from these two countries were advised to stay under self-quarantine at their own houses.

Although decision was made not to allow entry to passengers coming to Nepal from 55 countries hardest hit by COVID-19, those entering Nepal as an exception case were sent for home quarantine.

According to him, the quarantine at Kharipati in Bhaktapur will house those entering Nepal through airways and having no preparation for home quarantine.

The government has also arranged quarantine facilities in various places for those arriving Nepal and suspected of contracting COVID-19.

All seven provinces to have lab

Minister Dhakal informed that the modern and well-equipped lab like in Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Diseases Hospital at Teku, Kathmandu will be built in all seven provinces.

Emerging from the meeting of Chief Ministers from all seven states and Ministers for Social Development, Minister Dhakal shared that hospitals would be built especially for the treatment of COVID-19 infected patients.

As the COVID-19 pandemic goes on, the Minister urged the mass media not to disseminate the news that would weaken the morale of people to fight against COVID-19.

According to him, efforts were being coordinated with the foreign diplomatic missions to procure medicines and equipment related to COVID-19. The government had readied the aircrafts to ferry those medicines and equipment from India and China once the confirmation on their supply is confirmed.

Spokesperson at the Ministry Dr Bikash Devkota said that more sample testing of coronavirus would be carried out in lab to be set up in all seven states. So far 600 persons were tested for coronavirus in the Teku-based lab, according to him.