The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD), Department of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), has issued a seven-point directive to health institutions in order to prepare for the likely outbreak of Omicron, a novel strain of the COVID-19
Dr. Krishna Prasad Poudel, director of the EDCD, said that health directors in all seven provinces, as well as district health offices in all 77 districts and 753 local levels across the country, have been asked to prepare for the likely spread of COVID-19.
“Because Omicron is highly transmissible, we need to be more vigilant and proactive in our prevention efforts,” Dr. Poudel added.
According to Dr. Poudel, a certain gene has been identified to be missing in a large number of COVID-19 afflicted people, especially those returning from overseas and those entering Nepal by land, which is a warning of Omicron cases spreading.
More than 1,500 people have been infected with the Omicron variety, which has spread throughout 23 Indian states.
So far, Nepal has discovered three cases of COVID-19’s Omicron variant.
The EDCD has advised the public not to organize or participate in any type of gathering and to take all necessary precautions, such as wearing masks and washing hands with soap and water, to avoid contracting the virus.
Similarly, responsible health authorities are instructed to identify risk zones, ensure the COVID-19 test through antigen screening and adequate management of affected patients, and undertake contact tracing with the requisite quarantine and testing facilities.
The EDCD directive also mandates COVID-19 testing and management of migrants entering from border areas, as well as the identification of any target group not covered by the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
The EDCD has also emphasized the importance of increasing community vaccination against COVID-19.
Top comments (0)