ISLAMABAD: Pakistan reported four cases of JN.1, the Omicron sub-variant of the COVID-19 variant, on Sunday evening, The News reported.
The health authorities confirmed the discovery of the highly contagious variant, saying that the four affected people, who entered the country from abroad, had mild symptoms and recovered from the disease on their own.
The National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHS,R&C) official said that the affected persons tested positive for COVID-19 and when genome sequencing was performed, they were found to be infected with the JN.1 subvariant.
The JN.1 subvariant of Omicron has been declared a Variant of Interest (VoI) by the World Health Organization and is rapidly replacing other Omicron subvariants worldwide.
Health authorities in Pakistan began mandatory testing of 2% of incoming passengers for COVID-19 a few days ago, following the detection of a deadly sub-variant in neighboring India and other countries around the world.
Commenting on the detection of the JN.1 subvariant, the Federal Minister of Health, Dr. Nadeem Jan said there was no need to panic as 90% of Pakistan’s population had been vaccinated against COVID-19, adding that the Border Health Services authorities were vigilant. and active according to international health regulations.
“People should take precautions and wear masks, wash their hands frequently with soap or use hand sanitizers, and practice social distancing to prevent influenza and other respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19,” he added.
