Ex-minister Baskota overstates number of Covid testing labs

Sanjog Shiwakoti / November 24, 2020

Former minister Baskota speaking at a school function in Panauti on November 23. Photo: Youtube grab

Central committee member of the ruling Nepal Communist Party and former communications minister Gokul Prasad Baskota speaking at a function at Bhaleshwar Secondary School in Panauti Municipality in Kavrepalanchowk on November 23 said:

“Currently tests for Covid are being conducted in around 97 places [in the country].” [Go to 5 mins 25 seconds into the video].

South Asia Check fact-checked Baskota’s statement and found it to be an exaggeration.

According to the daily “Situation Report #288” published by the Ministry of Health and Population on November 23, only 77 labs across the country are currently conducting tests for Covid-19. Of these, 44 are government labs and 33 are private ones. This shows Baskota’s claim is an overstatement.

This material is copyrighted but may be used for any purpose by giving due credit to southasiacheck.org.
Comments

Recommended Read

Claims about built structures over Tukucha in Narayanhiti are false Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s attempts at locating the rivulet Ichchhumati, better known as Tukucha, that had ‘disappeared’ between Narayanhiti and Kamaladi in Kathmandu, has divided... Read More
Claim about papaya leaf curing dengue is misleading Dengue is getting out of control. Ministry of Health and Population has confirmed 11,065 cases across Nepal as of September 14. Bagmati Province tops the list with 8,390 cases, followed by Lumbini Pro... Read More
Three-month-old photo showing Balen Shah and President Bhandari shared with misleading claims A photo of Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s newly elected mayor, Balendra Shah (Balen), with President Bidya Devi Bhandari went viral on June 30. The photo shows Shah standing in front of Bhandari, who... Read More