Health Ministry reports two cases of Omicron variant of Covid-19 in Nepal

December 7, Kathmandu: The new Omicron variant of Covid-19 has been detected in Nepal.

The new variant, which the WHO has labeled as ‘variant of concern’ was detected in two persons in Nepal, 12 days after it was first reported in South Africa.

Issuing a press statement on Monday, Health ministry  Joint-spokesperson, Dr. Samir Kumar Adhikari confirmed that the new variant was found in samples taken from two suspected persons after carrying out tests at the National Public Health Laboratory.

Joint spokesperson Adhikari added that the new variant was confirmed in a 66-year-old foreign national and a 71-year-old who had come in his contact.

They had arrived in Nepal from South Africa.

Joint-spokesperson Adhikari said both of them have been kept in isolation as per the standard set by the government and recuperating their health at present.

He said that surveillance and contact tracing would be made more effective following the variant reported in the country.