KATHMANDU, January 7
The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has been detected in as many as 21 peacekeepers that recently returned from their mission in Sudan.
The Health Ministry had conducted tests on the returnees upon their return to Nepal, the tests for which confirmed them positive for COVID-19, wherein Omicron variant was detected upon further testing.
There has been a surge in reported number of Omicron variant cases globally. Nepal too, in recent times, has been witnessing gradual spike in daily Covid cases, many of which have confirmed detection of the fast spreading Omicron.
The fear of a rapid spread of the variant is rampant keeping in mind the sudden increase in infections in neighbouring India which reported 117,100 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, the highest since early June, as the Omicron variant overtakes Delta in the Indian cities.
As such, authorities in Nepal have stepped up preparations to curb further spread, especially the provinces that share border with India.
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