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Coronavirus in Pakistan

NCOC advises caution as weather, Covid complicate holiday season

ISLAMABAD: With tourism expected to peak during the Eidul Azha holidays, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has advised travelers to exercise caution, check weather forecasts and pre-book their accommodations.

An advisory issued on Wednesday stated that the Covid-19 cases were rising once again and therefore, tourists should strictly adhere to the SOPs.

In the last 24 hours, as many as 805 more Covid-19 cases have been reported, taking the national positivity to 4.69 pc, while the number of patients on critical care has increased to 169.

Tourists have been advised to wear masks, use hand sanitisers and avoid going to crowded places and maintain social distancing.

“It should be made sure that all tourists [are] vaccinated and those who have been vaccinated, should go for the booster dose,” the advisory stated.

The tourists should check weather prediction and confirm hotel bookings before traveling.

“As hotels and restaurants ... remain jam-packed during Eid holidays, make sure that your residence is already booked and you have edible items [to] use in case of prolonged stay,” it stated.

National Institute of Health (NIH) Executive Director Maj Gen Aamer Ikram has also urged tourists to collect route and weather information before embarking on the journey.

In a statement, Minister of Health Abdul Qadir Patel also urged the masses to strictly adhere to the SOPs.

US donates mobile laboratories

In a separate development, the US government has donated four mobile laboratories to Pakistan to strengthen the capacity for Covid-19 testing and other communicable diseases.

The laboratories donated through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will improve the accuracy of diagnoses, reduce testing turnaround time, and protect healthcare workers.

The state-of-the-art laboratories were handed over to the NIH and Ministry of Health on Wednesday in a ceremony in Islamabad.

The ceremony was attended by the US Ambassador Donald Blome and Federal Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel, along with the ministry officials.

Addressing the ceremony, Mr Blome commended the healthcare workers and officials for their effective response to the pandemic.

He also highlighted Pakistan’s successful vaccination campaign to swiftly inoculate the citizens.

“These mobile laboratories will strengthen the diagnostic capacity of the provincial health departments and enable the government to respond quickly and effectively in hard-to-reach remote areas during emergencies, or an outbreak and epidemic,” Mr Blome said.

Mr Patel expressed gratitude for the US support to improve healthcare services in Pakistan and called it “a reflection of the strong bilateral relations between the two countries.”

According to a statement, since the beginning of the pandemic, the USAID has worked to save lives and contain the outbreak in more than 120 countries, including Pakistan.

USAID’s ongoing assistance provides emergency relief, strengthens health systems, supports vaccine readiness and distribution, improves public health education, and protects health care workers and facilities, the statement added.

The United States has provided nearly 61.6 million doses of vaccines, one million Covid-19 rapid diagnostic test kits, and critical health supplies and training to healthcare workers in Pakistan.

These efforts are a part of nearly $70 million in direct support and $9.2 million in-kind support that the US government extended to Pakistan.

Dawn
 
Fears of sixth wave take hold after nine deaths in a day

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan seems to be moving towards a sixth wave of Covid-19 after a gap of more than four months, as the country reported nine deaths on Thursday.

Moreover, 872 infections were reported. However, the national positivity rate, which had been more than four per cent for the last one week, dropped to 3.77pc as the number of tests carried out increased by 30pc.

However, unlike previous waves which were countered by smart lockdowns and a strict adherence to SOPs in public spaces, cities across the country still seem devoid of any such preventive measures. Transport hubs such as train and bus stations are also becoming increasingly crowded as citizens head to their homes for the Eid holidays, raising concerns that these may become epicentres for super-spreader events.

Data from the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) showed that nine people succumbed to the virus. Earlier, more than nine deaths were last reported on March 4.

NIH asks people to properly wash, buy only healthy-looking sacrificial animals amid Congo virus spread

The data further showed that the number of daily Covid tests, which were previously at a little over 15,000, had increased to 23,125. Owing to an increase in testing, the positivity rate across Pakistan remained less than 7pc as Karachi topped the chart with 6.49pc.

Professor of Microbiology Javaid Usman told Dawn that though the NCOC had not officially declared a sixth wave of pandemic, it was a fact that cases were on the rise in Pakistan and across the globe.

“The reason is that bans on international travel have been lifted. Currently Omicron’s sub-variant BA-5 has been spreading globally but the good thing is that it is only a bronchitis infection and not converting into pneumonia. Moreover, there are fewer hospitalisations and deaths are due to comorbidity rather than only due to virus,” he said.

Bronchitis is an infection of the main airways of the lungs, causing them to become irritated and inflamed. Comorbidity means suffering with more than one disease at the same time such as diabetes, blood pressure and heart problem, etc.

Advisory on Congo fever

The National Institute of Health (NIH) has also issued an advisory for prevention and protection of Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), also known as Congo fever and transmitted by a dangerous type of Norovirus.

Found in ticks that hide in the hair of sheep, goats, cows, buffaloes and other cattle, an NIH statement said that while no vaccine for Congo fever was available so far, the disease can be avoided by taking following precautionary measures.

“Before buying a sacrificial animal, people should be sure that there are no ticks on body of animal, use gloves or apply Deet lotion when checking the animal, prevent children from playing with animals, use pesticides in consultation with livestock department to protect animals from the ticks,” it stated.

The advisory said that butchers should use gloves when slaughtering animals and making meat, they should protect themselves from being contaminated with animal blood and carefully treat flesh blood and impurities.

People are also suggested to use gloves while washing sacrificial meat and doctors and other medical staff should also ensure the use of personal preventive measures such as gloves and masks while treating a Congo patient.

The livestock departments have been instructed to ensure spraying of the cattle markets and vaccination of sacrificial animals.

Dr Usman said people should be concerned about the CCHF but not worried. “It is not a new disease, it surfaces after every four to five years and does not take many lives. If an animal apparently looks healthy, people can buy it without any hesitation. Goats have smooth skin so they have less chances of having ticks. People should wash the goat with a shampoo or any detergent and after that they can keep the animals at their houses,” he said.

“People should learn about the CCHF because if there will be more ignorance there will be more hype. Every year, on Eidul Azha, millions of animals are brought in the markets and sold. It is not possible for the government to check each animal so people just have to wash the animals and then they can allow their children to play with them,” he said.

CCHF cases surfaced in Pakistan around July 2016 in Bahawalpur after surgeon at the Bahawal Victoria Hospital (BVH) surgeon died of the disease despite being shifted to Karachi for treatment. After that, other cases were reported from various parts of the country.

Dawn news
 
The National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) issued directives to airports on Friday to ensure 100 percent Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) of pilgrims returning from Hajj.

The notification issued by the NCOC stated that in lieu of the risk of transmission involved in mass gatherings, rising disease prevalence globally, and soaring Covid-19 cases in Pakistan, testing will be performed in international airports of Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Multan and Islamabad.

The government has directed airport authorities to begin RAT on arrival for all Hajj flights from July 15.

Furthermore, the notification stated that filling credentials on the pass track application has been made mandatory and travellers will be required to quarantine at home for at least 10 days in the event of a positive test.

The aviation division, airport management, and Airport Security Force (ASF) have been requested to facilitate the Central Health Establishment (CHE) for smooth testing of inbound pilgrims and allocate dedicated spaces at airports.

Amid rising cases of Covid within the country, Minister for National Health Services Abdul Qadir Patel appealed to the people to stay indoors during Eid holidays and observe precautionary measures.

Talking to the media in Islamabad, he said the positivity ratio of coronavirus cases is over four per cent in the country.

He said the government has issued the standard operating procedures (SOPs), which were evolved earlier, to prevent the spread of the virus. He furthered that SOPs for government offices have also been issued.

During the press conference, he informed that 176 people were hospitalised and around five people are on ventilators during the last 24 hours as of July

Express Tribune
 
The country reported 693 Covid-19 cases on Friday, with the national positivity rate touching 3.28 per cent, according to official statistics.

The data released by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) showed that 21,137 tests were conducted over the past 24 hours. The number of patients on critical care remained unchanged at 165.

However, the city-wise positivity ratio data presents an ambiguous picture as high ratios don’t necessarily point towards an outbreak. For example, the positivity ratio in Sindh’s second largest city Hyderabad hit 50pc on Friday, but only six tests were conducted, out of which three returned positive.

The positivity rate in other cities remained under 7pc.
 
Pakistan reported another 502 cases and one death in a day, according to the numbers released by the National Institute of Health on Sunday.

The 502 cases were reported against a total of 18,385 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, bringing the Covid positivity ratio to 2.273%.

The number was lower than that reported on Saturday when 732 people had tested positive.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">COVID-19 Statistics 12 July 2022<br>Total Tests in Last 24 Hours: 4,674<br>Positive Cases: 255<br>Positivity %: 5.46%<br>Deaths: 01<br>Patients on Critical Care: 141</p>— NIH Pakistan (@NIH_Pakistan) <a href="https://twitter.com/NIH_Pakistan/status/1546662349020487684?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
PAmzSS6.png
 
After several weeks of fluctuating stats, the COVID-19 positivity rate has reached 3% in Pakistan, with 582 fresh cases reported during the last 24 hours, the National Institute of Health, Islamabad's (NIH) data showed Monday morning.

The new infections were detected after diagnostic testing on 19,389 samples.
 
Pakistanis advised to mask up at Muharram gatherings amid COVID-19 outbreak

  • Majalis start across Pakistan as country marks first day of month of Muharram amid COVID surge.
  • Country reports one COVID death overnight, NIH data shows
  • As many as 661 cases detected in last 24 hours, NIH data shows.

With Pakistan logging hundreds of COVID-19 cases everyday, the National Institute of Health, Islamabad (NIH) has advised strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs), including mask wearing and social distancing during Muharram gatherings.

Gathering and majalis to remember the Shuhada-e-Karbala (martyrs of Karbala) have started as the country observes the first day of the month of Muharram to mark the beginning of the new Islamic year today (Sunday).

Pakistan reported only a single death from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, the NIH data showed Sunday morning.

As many as 661 new infections were detected in a single day as the country's nerve centre in the fight against coronavirus performed diagnostic tests on 20,080 samples across the country.

The new cases pushed the coronavirus positivity rate in Pakistan to 3.29% and the number of total COVID-19 cases to 1,553,386.

Meanwhile, 171 patients suffering from coronavirus are being treated in critical care units at different medical facilities across the country.

What are the SOPs for Muharram?
NIH has restricted the elderly and children from attending the gatherings and majalis during Ashura in a COVID-safe manner, as the risk of another outbreak looms with uptick of the virus across Pakistan.

Following are the guidelines for holding gatherings and processions

  • COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures i.e mask wearing, social distancing and use of sanitizers/ hand washing should be adhered to
  • Organising committees should make arrangements for all SOPs
  • Zakirs and participants should be vaccinated against COVID-19
  • Venue for conduct of Majalis should be open and spacious with proper
  • ventilation arrangements
  • Wearing of masks and maintenance of social distancing is mandatory during majalis and Processions. Availability of masks and sanitizers/ hand washes
  • Controlled participation according to capacity of venues and avoidance of overcrowding
  • Duration of majalis and processions should be curtailed
  • Majalis where SOPs cannot be effectively implemented such as
  • homes and private gatherings should be discouraged
  • Elderly above 65 years, children and co-morbid may be sensitized to
  • attend Majalis at home through live streaming
  • Proper arrangements for cleaning venues with chlorine before and after the events
  • Display of COVID-19 SOPs and precautions at prominent places
  • SOPs compliance by employing volunteer scouts

Miscellaneous aspects

  • Arrangements for food and drinks in spacious and ventilated place.
  • Emphasis on use of disposable utensils; preference on pre-packaged boxes for distribution of food.
  • Avoiding overcrowding at food distribution points/locations.
  • No handshake and embracing.
  • Areas of focus

Some of the aspects meriting necessary actions at the federal and federating units level, include following:

  • Messaging by religious clerics for uniform implementation of SOPs /guidelines proposed by NCOC.
  • Strict enforcement of SOPs by civil administration.
 
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Pakistan has reported one death in the last 24 hours by novel coronavirus as the number of confirmed positive cases has surged to 1,561,055. The nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 30,509 on Thursday.

According to the latest figures by the National Institute of Health (NIH), at least 353 persons were tested positive for COVID-19 across the country in the past 24 hours.

Pakistan has conducted 11,388 tests in the past 24 hours out of which 353 persons were tested positive for the disease. The COVID Positivity Ratio was recorded at 3.10 percent.
 
Pakistan ‘ill-prepared’ to combat new Covid variants

As new variants of coronavirus spread at a rapid pace in parts of the globe, including India, China, and the United States, health authorities in Pakistan seem to be ill-prepared to stop the arrival of the virus in the country.

Even though the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) claimed that the situation was being closely monitored, there have been no measures at airports, such as rapid testing and screening of inbound travellers, to detect positive cases of Covid-19.

...
https://www.dawn.com/news/1728304/pakistan-ill-prepared-to-combat-new-covid-variants
 
PM Shehbaz says Covid situation in Pakistan ‘under control’ but cautions against complacency

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that the Covid-19 situation in the country was “under control”, but instructed authorities to remain prepared to tackle any possible spread of the virus.

The premier passed these remarks in a meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office to review the Covid spread in Pakistan. The participants were informed in detail about the situation prevalent across the globe along with emerging variants and their prevention methods.

Reviewing the measures adopted to tackle the looming threat of the virus, PM Shehbaz stressed the need for 100 per cent vaccination for children between the age of five and 12 on an emergency basis, according to an official statement.

The prime minister asked officials to make screening at borders and airports more effective to detect people with possible infections and sought a “third party report” on the mechanism.

...
https://www.dawn.com/news/1729717/p...nder-control-but-cautions-against-complacency
 
SINDH ASKS MASSES TO WEAR MASKS AFTER DETECTION OF COVID’S NEW VARIANT IN KARACHI

Member Sindh Corona Taskforce Dr Faisal Mahmood on Wednesday urged masses to wear facemasks and avoid public gatherings after the detection of Covid’s new variant in Karachi ARY News reported.

While confirming the detection of cases of new Covid variant in Karachi, Dr Faisal Mahmood said the number of new variant Covid patients coming to hospitals is low.

He advised people to get themselves checked by doctors in case of illness. The masses of Sindh, who are ill, have been advised to use facemasks and asked to avoid visiting public places.

Dr Mahmood asked the masses not to worry about the detection of new Covid variant in Karachi. Earlier, the Sindh Health Department confirmed the presence of XBB and XBB-1 sub-variants of the Omicron variant in Karachi.

Karachi has detected six cases of the new Covid-19 variant, XBB and XBB-1, the health department said in a statement. However, they confirmed that the South Asian country was still safe from the highly infectious variant – BF.

According to reports, China is experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases due to a strain that is a sub-variant of the highly infectious Omicron variant: BF.7 or BA.5.2.1.7.

ARY
 
ISLAMABAD: As the rising number of Covid-19 cases has prompted the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) to recommend mask-wearing in crowded places, the Punjab health minister has blamed the uptick on political activities, especially in Lahore, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and other cultural activities.

Talking to Dawn, Dr Javed Akram also insisted that pandemic fatigue — an expected and natural response to a prolonged public health crisis — and variation in the coronavirus were also responsible for more cases, as the efficacy of current vaccines has dropped to around 60pc from 90pc previously.

Data released by the NCOC on Saturday morning showed that 109 people were infected by the coronavirus and the national positivity was 2.05pc over the last 24 hours. As many as 14 patients were in critical condition.
 
The COVID-19 positivity ratio in Karachi has reached an alarming level of 28.30 percent, the highest in the country, ARY News reported on Monday, quoting sources within the health ministry.

According to details shared by the sources, the positivity ratio in Karachi jumped to 28.30 pc in last 24 hours, while the positivity ratio remained 100 per cent in Hyderabad and Swabi.

During the last 24 hours, only a single test was conducted in Swabi and Hyderabad, which remained positive.
 
Pakistan would be among a host of countries barred from getting US funding under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene tweeted on Sunday.

Greene’s tweet came soon after President Joe Biden and top congressional Republican Kevin McCarthy reached a tentative deal to raise the federal government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling.

The CDC is the national public health agency. The agency’s main goal is the protection of public health and safety through the control and prevention of disease, injury, and disability in the US and worldwide.

"Hearing @SpeakerMcCarthy’s soon to be finalised agreement on the debt limit will claw back $400 million from the CDC ‘Global Health Fund’ that sends money overseas to countries like China,” Greene tweeted.

“Here’s a few other countries that will no longer get access to these taxpayer dollars: Afghanistan, Albania, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burma, Cambodia, China, Ivory Coast, DRC, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Malawi, Mail, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia, and Zimbabwe,” she added.

“Also on the chopping block is nearly $1.5 billion from the CDC’s ‘Vaccine Distribution and Monitoring Program’.”

The agreement was announced on Saturday by President Biden and Republican leader McCarthy after weeks of crisis talks offered a path back from the default precipice, but it was far from certain that the compromises it contained could garner the support it required from both sides of the aisle.

After securing the tentative deal to prevent a cataclysmic US debt default, Republican and Democrat leaders began the hard task of winning over sceptics in both their parties in order to shepherd the legislation through Congress before the government runs out of money.

And all the while the clock is still ticking down to the June 5 “X-date” when the Treasury estimates the government will start to run out of cash to pay its bills and debts. A default would likely have catastrophic consequences, triggering a US recession and risking a global economic meltdown.

The basic framework of the deal suspends the federal debt ceiling, which is currently $31.4 trillion, for two years – enough to get past the next presidential election in 2024 and allow the government to keep borrowing money and remain solvent.

In return, the Republicans secured some limits on federal spending over the same period. McCarthy has called for a vote Wednesday in the House where his party’s wafer thin majority means passing the bill will require significant Democrat backing to balance out Republican dissent.

(AGENCIES WITH INPUT FROM NEWS DESK)
 

16 new coronavirus cases reported in past week: officials​


ISLAMABAD (APP) – Sixteen new coronavirus cases were reported during the past week across the country, health officials said on Wednesday.

As per data shared by the National Institute of Health (NIH), the case positivity rate stood at 0.52 percent, while no patient was in critical condition.

About 3,100 COVID-19 tests were conducted in the past week.

Meanwhile, an official of the Ministry for National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination said that the government had strengthened the role of Border and Health Services in Pakistan to deal with any sub-variant of COVID-19.

He said there was a surveillance system in place at all entry points of the country, including airports, where rapid tests and screening of passengers continued.

He said that 90 percent of the country’s population had already been vaccinated against COVID-19.

dunyanews.tv

16 new coronavirus cases reported in past week: officials

16 new coronavirus cases reported in past week: officials
dunyanews.tv dunyanews.tv
 
Caretaker Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan said on Friday that Pakistan country had not yet recorded any cases of the new Covid-19 variant, JN.1 Omicron, ARY News reported.

The minister made the statement during a senate session.

His statement comes a day after the caretaker government decided to procure 500,000 doses of a Covid vaccine, amid a possible resurgence of the new variant of the virus in various countries.

The procurement of Pfizer vaccines from the US was planned on the recommendations of the Emergency Operation Centre’s (EOC) technical advisory group following the emerging threat of the JN.1 variant.

Speaking in the upper house today, the health minister said that Pakistan was closely monitoring the new variant and the government was on “red alert”.

Earlier, the caretaker government has decided to enhance testing of COVID-19 following an advisory issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) regarding the new variant – “JN.1 Omicron”.

The National Command and Operations Center (NCOC) has issued advisory to provincial health departments, pointing out the WHO alert about increase in respiratory infection.

In the advisory, the NCOC pointed out that neighbouring countries were reporting cases of the newly-spread JN-1 variant of COVID-19.

“It has also been observed with serious concerns that number of cases of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) are rising in the country for the past few weeks,” it added.

Source: ARY

arynews.tv

No case of new coronavirus variant reported in Pakistan: health minister

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan said on Friday that Pakistan country had not yet recorded any cases of the new Covid-19 variant, JN.1
arynews.tv arynews.tv
 
Four cases of new Covid variant reported in Pakistan: Health ministry

Four cases of a new variant of Corona, JN1, which is an Omicron sub-variant, have been reported in Pakistan, ARY News reported.

According to the spokesperson of the Ministry of Health, all the affected people had mild symptoms of the new coronavirus variant.

The spokesperson said that all four patients have recovered without any complications. He said that the WHO designated JN.1 as a variant of interest.

Meanwhile, Caretaker Federal Minister for Health Dr. Nadeem Jan said the government is closely monitoring the situation.



arynews.tv

Four cases of new Covid variant reported in Pakistan: Health ministry

ISLAMABAD: Four cases of a new variant of Corona, JN1, which is an Omicron sub-variant, have been reported in Pakistan, ARY News reported. According to
arynews.tv arynews.tv
 
Looks like COVID is surging again. But, this new variant doesn't seem as dangerous as the initial variants.

I myself recovered from COVID 3 weeks ago.
 
The emergence of two suspected cases of new variant of coronavirus JN-1 in Sindh has prompted the provincial health department to assess its preparedness to deal with a potential spread of the highly contiguous infection. Reports state that the health department is facing a possible disruption in its ability to handle the spread of the new variant due to a shortage of staff in health centres.

After the emergence of JN-1 variant in Pakistan’s neighbouring countries, medical teams have been conducting diagnostic tests on suspected passengers at Karachi airport. Six suspected passengers werentested at the airport over the past few days, with two of them tested positive.

Of the two confirmed cases, one arrived from Bangkok, and the other from Abu Dhabi. The 26-year-old from Kech, Balochistan, and the 53-year-old from Sanghar, residing in Qasimabad, Hyderabad, have been asked to quarantine atnhome. Meanwhile, PCR tests of two passengers from Sharjah and three from Jeddah have also returned positive.

However, a 60-year-old passenger from DG Khan, arriving from Jeddah, tested negative. Despite the Sindh HealthnDepartment issuing an advisory to prevent the possible spread of the JN-1 variant, the shortage of staff in government-run hospitals has hampered efforts to contain the spread of the virus. Moreover, there is a lack of available vaccines in health centres.

Currently, there are approximately 2,500 vacancies in the JPMC, including doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, technical staff, and special staff. The Civil Hospital has 1,391 vacant posts ranging from Grades 1 to 20. The Sindh Government Hospital Saudabad has 70 to 80 vacant positions of doctors and around 100 vacant positions of nurses, paramedics, IT staff, sanitaryworkers, and ambulance drivers.

Professor Shahid Rasool, head of JPMC, expressed concern about the potential spread of the new coronavirus variant in Pakistan. He highlighted the adverse impact of the lack of essential staff on his hospital’s ability to combat the virus, emphasising that no recruitment has taken place in the last 12 years.

He urged the authorities to grant permission to recruit essential staff, noting that hiring 300 staffers could significantly improve the situation. According to the health department, the new variant exhibits symptoms such as cold, cough, and headache.

Source: Express Tribune

tribune.com.pk

Staff shortage threatens response to handle new Covid variant | The Express Tribune

Two cases of JN-1 detected in inbound passengers at airport
tribune.com.pk tribune.com.pk
 
Karachi reports six more cases of Covid-19 JN.1 variant

Six passengers who arrived at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi coming from abroad tested positive for the new Covid-19 variant “JN.1 Omicron”, ARY News reported on Sunday.

According to Sindh Health Department, the rapid antigen tests of six passengers conducted at Jinnah International Airport came back positive.

The six passengers found positive for JN.1 variant, currently a cause of concern in several countries, are residents of Swat, Mirpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Charsadda and Jacobabad.

The health department said that the affected passengers were tested for possible symptoms of Covid-19.

The number of JN.1 variant cases in Karachi has now risen to 15 after the detection of fresh patients.

Earlier, Sindh Health Department confirmed two cases of COVID-19 in passengers who had arrived at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport.

The health officials suspect the cases to be of the highly transmissible JN.1 variant, which is currently a cause of concern across the world.

It is pertinent to mention here that the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) decided to conduct COVID testing of passengers coming from abroad.The NCOC meeting discussed the situation in the country about the new variant of Covid JN-1.

The forum okayed COVID testing at the airports and borders.Meanwhile, caretaker federal Minister for Health Dr Nadeem Jan said that the government is continuously monitoring the situation as this subvirus of Omicron was found in some countries.



Source: ARY News
 
Pakistan reports nine cases of JN.1 covid variant

According to details, nine cases of JN.1 variant of Covid-19 were reported in Peshawar hospitals, following which, the health department issued an advisory.

The director of public health said the hospitals have been advised to expedite tests for COVID-19 in influenza-like diseases.

The health official further said that hospitals have been directed to send samples for JN.1 virus testing to the Public Health Reference Lab.

Health experts said that situation could become worse if the department failed to start efforts to scale up awareness and test the close relatives of the diagnosed patients immediately.

They said that more testing was essential to ascertain the actual quantum of cases. They said that people should start observance of Covid-19 SOPs including frequent hand-washing with soap, particularly after visiting public places, and using facemasks.

arynews.tv

Pakistan reports nine cases of JN.1 covid variant

Pakistan has reported nine cases of JN.1 COVID-19 variant, ARY News reported on Friday. According to details, nine cases of JN.1 variant of Covid-19 were
arynews.tv arynews.tv
 
Coronavirus will stay in this world. Now, it can't be eliminated completely. All we need to do is follow precautions and practice healthy safety measures.
 
FearlessRoar said:
Coronavirus will stay in this world. Now, it can't be eliminated completely. All we need to do is follow precautions and practice healthy safety measures.
Click to expand...

COVID nowadays doesn't seem as deadly as before.

I myself had COVID 3 months ago. It was like a regular fever.

Most people probably now have COVID immunity.
 
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