The NCIPD has successfully analyzed 90 clinical samples with SARS-CoV-2 by next-generation whole genome sequencing. The samples were collected from patients with COVID-19 between 01.01-02.02.2023 and were sent from 25 different medical institutions in 16 districts of the country.

Delta AY.92 variant (1.1%) was identified in one clinical sample, and Omicron and its subvariants in the remaining 89 samples, including: BA.5.x (20.0%), BF.x/BN.x (41.1%), BQ.1.x (21.1%), CH/CK/CL/CR/EF (11.1%), XBB.1.5 (4.4%) and XBJ (1.1%).

Pangolin COVID-19 Lineage Assigner v4.2. program was used to define SARS-CoV-2 variants. An epidemiological analysis is being carried out.

The NCIPD continues to monitor the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the country, with a focus on VOC, altered virulence and immunogenicity that are of increased public health importance.