KATHMANDU: Seven new cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Nepalgunj, in addition to the 15 cases confirmed earlier this week.

With this, the total number of coronavirus positive cases in the country has reached 82; 23 of them hailing from Nepalgunj. The new cases were confirmed through reports of the tests conducted today in Bheri Hospital laboratory, Nepalgunj.

According to the Ministry of Health and Population, among the new cases, three are males of 22, 30, and 40 years of age while four are females of 9, 32, 34, and 55 years of age. Their health is in normal condition and are under the observation of health workers, MoHP stated.

Banke Administration, since Saturday morning, has been carrying out contact tracing of those infected and had collected swab samples of 90 persons for testing. On Sunday, 15 new persons were identified as having contracted the coronavirus infection. Following this, the district administration adopted high-alert measures to prevent community transmission.

The district administration, as a precautionary measure, has imposed a curfew effective from Tuesday morning (May 5) till Thursday midnight (May 7), completely restricting people's movement.

As of today, 15 people have recovered and gone home, bringing the active number of cases to 67.

(With inputs from THT's regional correspondent Tilak Gaunle)