Nepal on Monday confirmed the spread of Omicron’s sub-variant XBB.1.16 in the country.

Of 24 swab samples, on which whole-genome sequencing was carried out at the National Public Health Laboratory, the XBB.1.16 sub-variant was detected in 10 samples, which is around 42 percent of the total samples.

Whole-genome sequencing is a comprehensive method of analysing the entire DNA sequence of an organism’s genes. Researchers believe that whole-genome sequencing of coronavirus could be instrumental in tracking the severity and properties of the virus.

According to the press release issued by the Health Ministry, XBB.1.5 was detected in swab samples of three persons, XBB.2.6 and XBF has been detected in one each swab sample.

BA.1.1, BA.2, BA.5 and BA.5.2 have been found responsible for infection in each two swab samples.

BA.2.76 has been detected in swab samples of one infected person.

XBB.1.16 sub-variant has been currently spreading in India. Health experts in Nepal link the uninterrupted cross-border movement for the rise in cases in Nepal. Thousands of people from both countries enter each other’s territories every day on top of the large number of those who use unregulated points along the porous border.

Nepal, on Monday, reported 76 new cases of coronavirus infection. Of the 345 polymerase chain reaction tests carried out throughout the country, 49 tested positive and 27 others also tested positive in 806 antigen tests.

The positivity rate of polymerase chain reaction tests is around 14.2 percent, meaning that the virus is spreading exponentially in the communities.

Active cases reached 227 on Monday.