Pakistan has reported its first case of Indian COVID-19 variant, said National Institute of Health (NIH) on Friday (today).
As per details, the first case of COVID-19 Indian variant has been reported in Sindh with Provincial Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho confirming the news.
Dr Azra Pechuho has warned that various COVID-19 variants are rapidly spreading in Sindh and that so far one case of Indian COVID-19 variant and seven cases of South African variant have been reported in the province.
Serological research has revealed that out of the 57 samples, the South African and British variants comprised 71% and 20% cases in Karachi, respectively, said Dr Azra Pechuho.
It is pertinent to know that recently 12 Indian diplomats had visited Pakistan with one of their wives had in fact tested positive for COVID-19. Following the development, all 12 diplomats along with their families were directed to quarantine as per the standard operating procedure.
COVID-19 Indian variant or the B.1.617 variant contains two key mutations to the outer “spike” portion of the virus that attaches to human cells.
According to WHO, the predominant lineage of B.1.617 was first identified in India last December. The UK has already termed it as ‘variant of concern’ as it continuously mutates and spreads more quickly than the original version of the virus.
