COVID-19 Targeted Media Surveillance, Nepal (December 20, 2021) – Nepal

Emerging theme (s):

• Nepal reported 133 new COVID-19 infections on December 19; the rate of new COVID-19 infections has started to increase in Province 2; Schools in Bandipur and Parkhribaas closed for a week after teachers and students tested positive for COVID-19
• The risk of infection with the Omicron variant has increased in Nepal, as cases of infection in people with no travel history to neighboring India have been detected; Triveni customs in Nawalparasi on high alert
• 7 people died from Omicron in UK, 25,000 people infected; Omicron Rewrites COVID-19 Plans For 2022; European countries set to reimpose tougher COVID-19 control measures as Omicron variant sweeps across continent; Omicron cases to double in 1.5 to 3 days, seen in 89 countries, World Health Organization says
• Study finds Omicron variant becomes 7 times weaker in lungs than Delta variant; Pfizer says the pandemic could extend into 2023, providing for a 3-dose vaccination schedule for ages 2 to 16; South African Study Shows Omicron Succeeds With COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Injections; AstraZeneca antibody therapy works on the Omicron variant, while Regenron therapy is less effective
• The vaccination rate in Nepal has slowed despite a shortage of vaccines, as authorities do not take additional initiatives to get people to vaccination centers; Nepal to start administering COVID-19 vaccines at 16,000 vaccination centers across the country from next week to meet vaccination target; government to administer first dose of Moderna vaccine to children aged 12 to 17 in 57 districts from December 19 to 26
• Nepal reverses decision to impose quarantine 7-day hotels on travelers arriving here from 67 countries
• Despite government ban, healthcare facilities still sell COVID-19 waste, claiming it is a source of income for them, variant is spreading rapidly