Kathmandu, Jan 3: The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD), Department of Health Services has issued a seven-point directive to health institutions across the country for preparing against the possible spread of omicron variant of COVID-19.    

Division director Dr Krishna Prasad Poudel said the health directorates in all seven provinces, district health offices in the entire 77 districts and 753 local levels across the country are accountable for the directive.    

Being highly transmissible, the nature of the lately detected variant demands us to be more attentive and proactive to its prevention, according to him.    

So far, three cases of the omicron variant have been confirmed in Nepal.    

The Division has urged the public not to create and join a gathering, requesting for taking all preventive measures including the regular use of masks and handwashing with soap and water against the virus.    

Similarly, the bodies concerned have been directed to identify the vulnerable zone, ensure the COVID-test through antigen screening, manage proper management of infected and conduct contact tracing with the availability of quarantine and test facilities.    

Similarly, the directive seeks the COVID-19 test of people on arrival along with the border areas and their management, identification of any target group missing from COVID-19 inoculation campaign, encouraging vaccination against COVID-19 among the community and ensuring follow-up and monitoring of people in-home quarantine.