THE Sindh health department confirmed on Saturday emergence of five locally transmitted cases of JN.1, the highly contagious new variant of Covid-19, which is currently a cause of concern in several countries. The day also saw three more passengers, in their early 20s, testing positive for Covid-19 upon their arrival at the Jinnah International Airport, Karachi.
The emergence of these cases must be taken very seriously in order to avoid spread of the variant in the country. World Health Organisation (WHO) has also sounded alarm on a worrisome increase in Covid-19 cases and deaths, and rapid spread of JN.1 variant, identified as most prominent strain globally. In a virtual press briefing from Geneva, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of UN health agency, disclosed that December witnessed nearly 10,000 deaths, accompanied by a significant surge in hospital admissions and intensive care unit (ICU) cases. This alarming trend is reflected in data shared by almost 50 countries, particularly in Europe and America. Ghebreyesus expressed concern over the preventable deaths, emphasising that although current figures are lower than peak of the pandemic, they are still unacceptable. He said that Covid-19 cases are rising in regions where data reporting is lacking.
The cases of new variant have also been detected in neighbouring India. JN.1 has a single mutation compared to other variants and according to experts may be more transmissible or adept at immune system evasion. This may lead to complications for high-risk population, especially elderly people with low immunity. As we navigate this new chapter in the pandemic, a collective effort from communities, healthcare professionals and policymakers is essential. By staying informed and adhering to preventive measures and screening, we can hope to mitigate the impact of the JN.1 variant and safeguard public health. While ensuring availability of sufficient vaccines, federal and provincial governments must stay vigilant and implement preventive measures. Launching an extensive awareness campaign will go a long way in countering the threat.
