December 6: The Government of Nepal has confirmed first two cases of Omicron variant of the coronavirus in the country.    
A foreign national and a Nepali person, who recently reached Nepal, have been confirmed to have contracted the new variant, according to the Ministry of Health and Population. The infected Nepali person is found to have been in contact with the infected foreign national.    
The ministry organised a press conference in the presence of Health Minister Birodh Khatiwada following the confirmation of the variant on Monday.    
The new variant was confirmed from tests carried out on 66 people who arrived in Nepal from foreign countries alongside the infected persons, according secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population Dr Roshan Pokharel.    
Following the confirmation, the ministry has urged people to stay alert and follow the health protocols. -- RSS