January 10: The infection rate of the latest sub-variant of Coronavirus, JN.1, is found to be increasing in Nepal.    
According to Dr Rudra Prasad Marasini, director of the Epidemiology and Diseases Control Division under the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), the transmission rate of this new variant from one person to another is higher compared to other variants.    
"The transmission rate of JN.1 is higher in the cities since due to crowds. The fatality rate and complications of the infection are, however, low,” said Dr Marasini.    
It may be noted that the JN.1 sub-variant was detected in seven out of 16 samples tested in the National Public Health Laboratory on Monday. The JN.1 is the latest variant of Omicron.    
Since the new sub-variant is highly transmissible, the MoHP has urged one and all to exercise precautionary measures in crowded places by wearing face masks, maintaining physical distance and keeping hands clean by washing frequently among others.    
In view of increasing infection rate of the new sub-variant of Coronavirus, the ministry said that it had been conducting screening of suspected people in the entry points through the health desks set up at the border areas. -- RSS