KATHMANDUPATI: The government has confirmed that the new variant of coronavirus has entered the country.
Issuing a statement on Monday, the Ministry of Health and Population said that a new Covid-19 variant has been detected in three individuals who arrived from the UK recently.
According to the ministry, a 28-year-old female and two men (aged 67 and 32) tested positive for the new variant of Covid-19.
The new variant, referred to by experts as the B.1.1.7 lineage, was first detected in the UK.
Earlier on January 11, the ministry had sent their samples to Hong Kong to carry out a test to confirm whether they have contracted the new variant of coronavirus.
According to the ministry, the female and 32-year old man have already tested negative whereas 67-year man is asymptomatic.
In its statement, the ministry has urged people to maintain caution until the coronavirus vaccine is available in Nepal. It has urged people to maintain health safety protocols including wearing face masks, social distancing and hand washing and sanitizing.
