Federal Health Minister Dr. Nadim Jan stated that there have been reports of 4 cases of the new variant JN1 of COVID-19 in the country. Mild symptoms of the new coronavirus variant have been observed in all affected individuals. All four patients have recovered without any complications. According to details, Dr. Nadim Jan further mentioned that the Department of Border Health Services is implementing the recommendations of International Health Regulations, and both federal and provincial authorities are on high alert.
Dr. Nadim Jan emphasized that 90% of Pakistan’s population has already been vaccinated. He urged the public to adopt measures like masks, maintaining distance, and other precautions to prevent the spread of diseases like COVID or flu during the cold season.
In this regard, the Health Ministry spokesperson also mentioned that while the confirmation of the new variant JN1, a sub-variant of Omicron, was found in 4 incoming travelers from abroad, all four patients have now recovered.
The Health Ministry is closely monitoring the situation. Effective screening systems are in place at international airports, all domestic and international routes. Border health services and national and provincial health authorities are fully active and vigilant. WHO has classified JN1 as an interesting variant, while the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) had decided to conduct COVID testing for travelers arriving from abroad a few days back, and testing was mandated for 2% of incoming international travelers at airports.
The NCOC authorities stated that the decision to conduct testing is essential globally to control the spread of the new variants of COVID. The National Institute of Health will provide rapid diagnostic kits for COVID testing, and COVID desks have been established at all airports across the country for testing incoming travelers from abroad.