Dhangadhi, June 7 -- 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...