The Ministry of Health and Population has urged one and all to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in view of the increasing Covid-19 infection. The Ministry has asked all to take the anti-COVID-19 shots as the infection is increasing daily. Joint spokesperson of the Ministry Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari has called on all to take the first, second and booster dose vaccines considering the increase in the infection cases over the last some days. The number of infection cases that had dropped to nil is now increasing daily. Sixty-four cases were detected on Saturday alone and the total number of infections is 356 at present.

In the Kathmandu Valley alone, 15 persons were receiving treatment in isolation, eight in ICU and five in ventilators.

Big hospitals in the Valley including in Kathmandu are providing booster dose vaccines at present. Anjana Khadka, Information Officer at the Health Office, Kathmandu, said the booster dose is being given at the Bir Hospital, TU Teaching Hospital, the Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, the Civil Service Hospital, Armed Police Force Hospital and Nepal Police Hospital. Similarly, the local governments of Kathmandu are providing the vaccination service at various places as per the need. A genetic study carried out some days back had detected the presence of a new variant of the Coronavirus, Omicron XBB.1.16, for the first time in Nepal. The Ministry has also urged one and all to stay in isolation and go for COVID test immediately after developing any symptoms of the infection.