Two persons, who had returned to Nepal in the same Qatar Airways flight with the 19-year-old female student infected with COVID-19, have come in contact with the Dharan-based BP Koirala Institue of Health Sciences (BPKIHS).

After arriving in Nepal on March 17, the two persons had gone to their hometown in Dharan instead of staying in quarantine in Kathmandu.

They went to BPKIHS yesterday after a coordinated effort from the Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City and District Police Office.

According to Dr Bikash Shah, deputy director of BPKIHS, throat swabs of both the suspects will be sent to Teku-based National Lab for tests.

“After conducting health screening, we will keep them in hospital isolation if required, otherwise we will send them to Tadi-based army quarantine.”