The country has been facing a fresh surge of COVID-19 disease since the end of December as 1,314 new cases and eight deaths were reported across the country in February.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 735 samples were tested in the past 24 hours till 8am on Friday in the country and 53 tested positive, raising the total number of COVID-19 cases to 20,48,517.
At the same time, one new COVID-19 death was reported during the period, taking the total number of deaths from the disease to 29,491.
According to DGHS data, 838 COVID-19 cases and five deaths were reported in January and 1,314 cases and eight deaths were reported in February.
The COVID-19 infection rate has crossed 5% for the last two months. The daily infection rate was recorded at 7.21% in the past 24 hours.
Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research on 18 January informed that the JN1 sub-variant was found in samples of four patients in the country.

DGHS officials said there is nothing to panic about the new sub-variant of coronavirus, but emphasised maintaining health safety rules, including wearing face masks.
The National Technical Advisory Committee on COVID-19 has recently recommended that the authorities remain alert so that there is no spike in cases in the country following the detection of the new sub-variant.
The committee suggested wearing masks, especially in crowded places, strengthening surveillance, preparations for quick treatment, tests and screening travellers from abroad.