Woman dies in first Covid death since 2023

A woman from Suryodaya Municipality in Ilam, in Nepal’s east has died from a COVID-19 infection, marking the first coronavirus-related death in Nepal since May 4th ,2023, health authorities confirmed.

The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division reported that she was one of seven individuals who tested positive in the last 48 hours.

Cases are rising nationwide, with Bagmati Province reporting the highest number at 147, followed by Sudurpaschim with 21.

The Ministry of Health and Population has detected new subvariants of the Omicron strain through gene sequencing at the National Public Health Laboratory.

Health desks at border checkpoints, particularly for returnees from India, are also reporting a growing number of positive cases through rapid diagnostic testing.