Covid variant patients fully recovered, confirms health minister

ISLAMABAD: It has been officially confirmed by the caretaker Federal Minister for Health, Dr Nadeem Jan, that all four persons who tested positive for a new variant of the coronavirus, identified as JN1, a sub-variant of Omicron, have fully recovered.

In a statement, Dr Jan said the patients experienced only mild symptoms and have successfully recovered, reassuring the public that health authorities are diligently monitoring the situation.

In response to the emergence of the JN1 variant, Border Health Services, in collaboration with national and provincial health authorities and laboratories, is on high alert to ensure a strict disease surveillance system. Stringent screening measures have been implemented at international airports across entry and exit points, the minister says.

Dr. Nadeem Jan said the Border Health Services Department was fully implementing recommendations from the International Health Regulations. He further highlighted the full vigilance by both the federal and provincial governments, saying that 90 percent of Pakistan's population has already received Covid vaccination.

Advising the citizens to take preventive measures during the winter season, Dr Jan urged the use of masks, practicing physical distancing, and adopting other precautions to mitigate the spread of diseases such as Covid-19 or the flu.