Six more test positive for JN.1 variant as COVID-19 cases rise in Karachi

The number of COVID-19 cases in Karachi is rising as six more passengers, who arrived at Karachi airport, tested positive for the JN.1 sub-variant of the Omicron variant, as reported by the Sindh Health Department.

These passengers underwent tests due to possible COVID-19 symptoms, and the results were positive.

The infected passengers, included four people who arrived from Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh and Jeddah cities. All affected passengers have been quarantined.

Airport authorities have increased the number of COVID-19 tests for incoming passengers, and implementing additional safety measures.

According to a health department spokesperson, 15 passengers have tested positive through rapid antigen tests and 11 through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests, and results for four are pending.

Out of the 11 positive PCR cases, seven are confirmed as the JN.1 variant, with two being foreign and five local.

Earlier, upon the confirmation of four cases of the JN.1 sub-variant of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, Caretaker Federal Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan reassured the public, stating that 90 percent of the Pakistani population was vaccinated against COVID-19.

He further emphasised the importance of preventive measures such as wearing masks, frequent handwashing, and maintaining social distancing to protect against respiratory illnesses, including Covid-19.