KARACHI: The Health Department has confirmed two suspected cases of the new coronavirus variant in Sindh. The individuals were identified during COVID-19 testing of air passengers arriving in the city. The specific variant is yet to be determined, raising concerns that it might be the rapidly spreading JN1 variant.
These cases surfaced shortly after Caretaker Federal Health Minister Dr. Nadeem assured the Senate that no instances of the new coronavirus variant had been reported in the country. The two affected individuals, aged between 50 and 60, arrived from Bangkok and Jeddah on Thursday and Friday, displaying flu-like symptoms. Rapid antigen tests confirmed their COVID-19 infection, prompting the samples to be sent for further analysis at a local university lab.
Authorities emphasize the high contagiousness of the new variant, urging quarantine measures to protect others. Despite the risk, both passengers were allowed to travel to their hometowns of Dera Ghazi Khan and Sanghar under quarantine instructions.
Officials reveal that only 2% of passengers on the flight underwent rapid antigen testing. The Sindh Health Department notes the absence of specific quarantine facility instructions from the National Command and Operation Center.
The JN1 variant is currently predominant in the United States, constituting 60% of COVID-19 cases. Dr. Rafiq Khanani, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of Pakistan, highlights the global spread of JN1 across more than 50 countries, with the World Health Organization issuing an alert. Besides flu symptoms, the variant is associated with severe anxiety and sleep disturbances.
While the new variant is not highly severe, it poses a higher risk to the elderly due to their weakened immunity, prompting the doctor to advocate for special precautions by the government.
