Kathmandu, December 29
Five persons who had recently arrived in Kathmandu from the United Kingdom have tested positive for coronavirus, government officials say.
They, however, say it has not been confirmed if it is a new variant that is currently terrorising the European country. Since the new variant has been confirmed in Britain, the government has barred people from going there from Nepal and required those coming from there to quarantine themselves for 10 days.
Therefore, they are in quarantine at different hotels of Kathmandu, according to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division of the Ministry of Health. While in quarantine, they had experienced some symtoms and got subsequently tested for the virus.
EDCD Chief Basudev Pandey says a gene sequencing is required to determine if they had the new variant of the virus. “Coming from Britain only does not mean that they have the new virus, but we should be extra careful if those coming from the country and their contacts show Covid-19 symptoms.”
The new variant is said to be 70 per cent more contagious than the old one, but its impact is yet to be properly assessed.
