The Federal Health Minister of Pakistan, Dr Nadeem Jan has ordered the health authorities to keep an eye on the situation related to the spread of the new variant of Covid-19 ‘JN.1 Omicron.’
Noting to this, Health Minister, Dr Nadeem Jan said that, “New variant of Covid-19 JN.1 Omicron has been reported in some of the nation and Pakistan is keeping an eye on the developments.”
While addressing on this issue, Minister Nadeem Jan, said that, “We have been keeping a check on the situation. It is a sub-variant of the Omicron but has not been reported in Pakistan yet. I believe there will be fewer chances that the virus would travel to Pakistan as we are vigilant but there is need to be careful.”
He made a claim on Tuesday, adding that, “We have increased screening at the international borders and testing of the people. Moreover, provincial and district governments have been also directed to increase the testing.”
Adding further to this, the National Institute of Health on Tuesday has issued a report making claims that 3,609 tests of COVID-19 were held during the past week of which 16 samples were found positive, with no morality. While the positivity rate was 0.44pc, there were no critical patients of COVID-19.
The World Health Organization (WHO) on December 19, has declared JN.1 ‘a variant of interest’ due to its rapidly increasing spread.
About JN.1 Variant of COVID-19:
JN.1, which is from the line of Omicron lineage, was first reported in the month of September in the US and has spread to over 40 nations. It has been classification as a variant of interest by the World Health Organization.
The variant, which has been derived from BA.2.86, carries L455S mutation in the spike protein, increasing its spread.
Health experts have urged people about wearing masks, frequently washing hands and avoiding public gatherings to avoid infection.
