Health ministry confirms first case of Indian variant detected in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD (92 News) - The Ministry of National Health Services confirmed Friday the first case of Indian variant of the coronavirus in Pakistan.

According to the details garnered, one case of the Indian variant and seven of South African variant were found in samples collected three weeks back. The ministry has started tracing of both variants.

"COVID-19 SOPs need to be followed even more strictly now. People should wear masks and get vaccinated," it added.

Pakistan had placed a travel ban on April 20 on all incoming passengers from India over fears of the “double mutant” coronavirus variant.

Earlier, as many as 67 deaths were reported due to coronavirus epidemic across the country. According to the data available with the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Friday, 2,482 new cases were reported during the last 24 hours.

The positive cases rate remained at 4.80 percent. During the last 24 hours, 62,706 tests were conducted, bringing the total tally to 13,006,32.

The province-wise cases are: Sindh (313,059), KPK (131,027), Punjab (337,073), Islamabad (80,779), Balochistan (24,823), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (19,008) and Gilgit Baltistan (5,533).