Nepal detected its first two cases of Omicron variant

KATHMANDU: Nepal has detected its first two cases of Omicron coronavirus variant on Monday.

Organising a press conference in the Capital on Monday, the Ministry of Health and Population said that the two cases have been detected in Nepal today.

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Krishna Prasad Paudel, spokesperson at the Ministry, said that a 66-year-old foreigner, who landed in Nepal on November 19 and a 71-year-old man, who came in close contact with him, were tested positive for variant.

Their health condition is normal, the Ministry said. Their tests were conducted on November 23.

First identified in South Africa, the Omicron variant has spread to more than 40 countries so far, including neighboring India.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the new variant, Omicron, could spread rapidly and cause serious infection.