Sudurpaschim Province has seen a steady rise in Covid-19 cases over the past four days, with 13 returnees from India testing positive.

Health officials warn that the actual number could be higher due to a severe shortage of rapid diagnostic test kits at key border points.

On Saturday, three individuals who entered through the Gauriphanta checkpoint in Kailali and one from the Jhulaghat crossing in Baitadi tested positive, according to the Provincial Health Emergency Operations Centre.

“Of the 27 people tested at Gauriphanta, three were found infected,” said Hem Raj Joshi, the province’s Covid focal person. “One more case was confirmed at Jhulaghat.”

Despite daily detections, testing has been severely limited. Only 28 individuals were tested at the Gauriphanta and Jhulaghat border points on Saturday, even though over 1,100 people coming from India entered Nepal through various crossings in Kailali, Baitadi, Darchula, and Kanchanpur.

“We received 200 kits from Kathmandu on Friday, but due to the limited supply, we are only testing individuals who show strong symptoms or have high exposure risk,” Joshi added.

The rise in infections comes at a time when India is also reporting an uptick in Covid cases, raising concerns about cross-border transmission. Public health experts have long warned that Nepal could see a fresh wave of infections following spikes in neighbouring countries.

Officials said those who test positive are being contacted through local authorities and advised to self-isolate at home. Increased surveillance has also been introduced at border checkpoints, and all local health units have been instructed to remain alert.

Joshi noted that the province has requested additional test kits but acknowledged that further delays in supply could weaken containment efforts.

“We’re operating with extreme caution, but we can’t properly monitor the situation without enough testing,” he said.

Health officials are urging the public to adopt preventive measures such as mask-wearing, hand hygiene, and avoiding crowded places, especially as monsoon travel increases movement across borders.