On Monday, Nepal confirmed the emergence of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19 known as "XBB1.16" stating that at least 10 of the 24 patient samples collected recently from throughout the country tested positive for the new strain.

Nepals Ministry of health and population has issued a warning to its citizens following the detection of the XBB1.6 strain, which has been found spreading in neighboring India.

According to Dr. Sameer Kumar Adhikari, deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, a new form of Omicron, XBB1.16, spreading in neighboring India... has also been found in Nepal. So far, the Health Ministry has confirmed 10 of the 24 samples tested.

The Ministry said that 24 PCR and antigen-positive samples were gathered at the National Public Health Laboratory in March to determine the molecular genetic alterations in COVID-19.

Two of the 24 samples tested positive for BA.1.1, two for BA.2, one for BA.2.76, two for BA.5, two for BA.5.2, ten for XBB 1.16, three for XBB 1.5, one for XBB 2.6, and one for XBF.

The health ministry has recommended anyone traveling from overseas get tested for coronavirus infection at border health desks and seek treatment and counseling from nearby hospitals if confirmed positive, citing the new variants rapid spread in neighboring India.

The Ministry has asked residents not to ignore signs of cough, cold, and running nose, remain isolated if these symptoms are noticed, and be cautious in following health safety regulations, stating that the spread of COVID-19 may be slowed with everyones equal participation.

Data showed 76 confirmed new instances of COVID-19 (RT-PCR and antigen testing combined) on Monday, with 16 people recovering from the disease.

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/new-variant-of-covid-19s-omicron-detected-in-nepal-10-confirmed-cases-found-health-ministry/99230743)