By Mahima Devkota, Kathmandu, May.19:  The new variants, sub-variants of B.1.617, detected also in Nepal is more contagious and stronger to infect people of all age groups, according to the health experts.

"We were first aghast by the increasing cases and within all age group. It was a new virus and was infecting all.  People were lining up in hospitals, while hospitals faced with an acute shortage of medical equipment and resources to tackle with the surging number of patients in hospital. Then, the samples were taken for testing which clarified the prevalence of the B.1.617.2 and B.1.617.1 virus in Nepal as well, said Dr Krishna Prasad Paudel, director of the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division.

The B.1.617 was first seen in India and the other three sub- variants, B.1.617.1, B.1.617.2 and B.1.617.3 variants were also detected in the second wave in India. After the test, it was concluded that the high infection rate in India was because of the new variants.

In case of Nepal also, after the test, it is proposed that the high infection rate is caused by the new variant and sub-variants of B.1.617 which have been detected across the nation via simple random sampling.

With the high infection, the resources will be exhausted as well. So, all must strive to limit the spread of the virus in communities in order wipe out the virus, Dr. Paudel told the TRN Online.

Dr. Paudel further said that until Nepal reaches the peak, Nepalis will have to brave for the hard time. Hospitals are going to be overwhelmed as well as resources are going to be exhausted with surging cases of COVID-19 infection if present trend of infection continues.

Assuring that Nepal can tackle the dangerous new detected variants, Dr. Paudel urged the denizens to adhere to the health safety standards so as to minimize the chances of further spread.

According to Dr Richa Nepal, Consultant Physician at the Department of Internal Medicine of Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, the new variant is more infectious and is affecting all the age-groups, so it invites many challenges than the first wave.

Dr. Nepal, said, “The Indian variant entered Nepal through people coming from India. The border security was loose as many people entered without PCR testing. As the infection and spread rate of the Indian Variant and sub- variants is high, the virus got widely spread in Nepal.”

However, it is still to conclude if the new variant causes high fatalities because no studies have been conducted on Nepal and India in this regard, added Dr. Nepal.

Dr Nepal further added that despite the high infection rate, Nepal can still cope up with the pandemic if the vaccination and testing is intensified as well as if people abide by the health protocols.