ISLAMABAD: The first-ever case of a highly infectious coronavirus variant first identified in India has been detected in Pakistan despite a travelling ban on the neighbouring country in place since April, the National Institute of Health said on Friday.
The NIH shared results of whole-genome sequencing of SARS CoV-2 samples collected during the first three weeks of May 2021. “The sequencing results confirmed detection of seven cases of B.1.351 (South African variant) and one case of B.1.617.2 (Indian variant). This is the first in-country detection of the latter strain,” it said in a statement.
As per protocols, the statement added, contact tracing of all the cases is in progress by the Field Epidemiology & Disease Surveillance Division and District Health Office, Islamabad.
Meanwhile, Pakistan continues to report a decline in coronavirus cases as the country reported a positivity ratio below 5 percent for the fourth consecutive day on Friday.
Sixty-seven more people lost their lives to coronavirus, pushing the national death tally to 20,607 as per the NCOC’s data.
The NCOC revealed 2,482 new infections had emerged during the past 24 hours, taking the total caseload to 913,784 across the country.
The positivity ratio stands at 4.8 percent across the country. The number of active cases have reached 59,018 with the nationwide recoveries rising to 831,744.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported the lowest positivity ratio of Covid-19 infections since March 11, Health Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra said on Friday.
“Continuing to move in the right direction. Lowest positivity since March 11; lowest average daily deaths since end of March. Vaccinate, and be sensible,” he tweeted.
The minister said that a total of 384 fresh cases emerged when 8,110 tests were conducted. The positivity ratio was recorded at 4.7 per cent, he added. He said 16 more patients succumbed to the deadly virus. There are a total of 5,564 active cases in the province at present.
At least 702 new coronavirus cases were recorded in Punjab during the past 24 hours, taking the provincial tally to 337,775. According to the Punjab Primary and Secondary Health Care Department, at least 26 more patients succumbed to the pandemic as the total death count reached 9,925.
The department added that at least 307,716 patients had recovered from the deadly virus as of yet, with 1,167 people recovered in the past 24 hours.
Sindh reported at least 1,252 new coronavirus cases during the past 24 hours, taking the tally to 315,393.
According to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, 15 more patients succumbed to the deadly virus as the death toll surged to 5,003. He further said that 572 more patients recovered overnight, taking the total to 285,975.
