KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged the public to COVID-19 vaccination in view of increasing infections of the virus.

According to ministry joint spokesperson Dr. Samir Kumar Adhikari, the vaccination against COVID-19 reduces the infection risk. In case of an infection, an unvaccinated person is 10 times more at risk of taking ill seriously than vaccinated people.

Likewise, the fatality chance from the virus is 10 times high among unvaccinated people than of vaccinated ones. He urged the public to visit the nearby health facility and receive the booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

On Sunday, 81 new cases of infection were recorded and with this, the number of active cases has reached 370. The Omicron XBB.1.16, the sub-variant of COVID-19 spreading in neighboring India, has been found in Nepal, too. Various health facilities and local levels provide vaccines against COVID-19.

Bir Hospital, Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, TU Teaching Hospital, Birendra Military Hospital, Nepal Armed Police Force Hospital, Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital and Nepal Police Hospital provide the regular first and dose and also the booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine.