KATHMANDU, Sept 28: A study carried out through gene sequencing of the novel coronavirus has confirmed the presence of the ‘Delta variant’ in Nepal. The genetic study conducted at the Central Department of Biotechnology and the National Public Health Laboratory has shown traces of the delta variant in 41 samples.
Among the 42 samples tested by Dr Runa Jha, director of the laboratory, 41 showed signs of delta virus while one sample showed traces of the ‘Alpha variant’. As many as 26 samples were tested at the laboratory while 16 samples were tested at the central department. Of the samples, 41 were collected in the month of August while the remaining one was collected in April earlier this year.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) helped in the study conducted by the national laboratory, while Washington University helped the central department. Furthermore, Dr Jha said that the genetic study of the infection can now be done in Nepal as well.
