New Covid-19 variant reaches Pakistan, Confirmed

New Variant of Coronavirus

The new variant of Covid-19, which first emerged in the UK, has been detected in Sindh and the federal health authorities have been updated about it, on Tuesday.

According to Health & Population Welfare department statement, the health authorities took 12 COVID-19 samples of the United Kingdom returnees for Genotyping out of which six were positive Covid-19 and three showed the new variant of the coronavirus in the 1st phase.

“The Genotyping showed 95% match of the new variant from the United Kingdom. These covid-19 strain samples will go through another phase of genotyping,” Meeran Yousuf a spokesperson of the health department said.

Meanwhile, the statement added that the contact tracing of these patients of the new variant is in process and their contacts are being isolated as soon as possible.

What is a new strain or new variant of coronavirus?

According to the WHO official, the new strain was point out in southeastern England in September and patients have been increasing in the area ever since. This new variant of Covid-19 is said to be up to 70% more transmissible than the previously dominant strain in the United Kingdom. What we understand is that it does have increased transmissibility, in terms of its ability to spread, she added.

“The increase in transmissibility of new variant of coronavirus is likely to lead to a large increase in incidence, with Covid-19 deaths and hospitalization projected to reach higher levels in 2021 than were observed last year in 2020, even if regional layers restrictions implemented before 19 December are continues,” said researchers.

also read: Pakistan bans UK flight entry amid deadlier coronavirus strain

The Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) said that it is observant about the emergence of the new variant of SARS CoV-2 in Pakistan.

However, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on health Dr. Faisal Sultan acknowledged that the situation in the health section of Pakistan was portraying a dark picture. He said the situation was the “worst” when compared to other Asian countries.

After the UK government officially announced the detection of the covid-19 strain, many countries, including Pakistan, have imposed travel bans on the UK.