New strain of UK variant of Coronavirus detected in Karachi, Pakistan
The new coronavirus variant, which first emerged in the UK has reached Pakistan, it emerges on Tuesday.
As being reported the variant has been detected in Karachi. The federal health authorities have been updated about the latest development.
Samples of 3 UK returnees in Karachi show a 95% match to the new Corona Virus variant from the UK in the first phase of Genotyping.
Sindh Health Department in a statement on Tuesday said that the health authorities took 12 COVID-19 samples of the UK returnees for Genotyping out of which six were positive and three showed the new variant of the COVID-19 virus in the first phase.
Karachi (29.12.2020): Samples of 3 UK returnees show a 95% match to the new Corona Virus variant from UK in the first phase of Genotyping. #SindhHealth pic.twitter.com/4UUTSMTOQa
— Health and Population Welfare Department, Sindh (@SindhHealthDpt) December 29, 2020
Sindh Health Department spokesperson Meeran Yousuf said, “The Genotyping showed 95% match of the new variant from the UK. These samples will go through another phase of genotyping,” adding that the cases were identified in Karachi.
The provincial health department has informed Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on National Health Services Dr. Faisal Sultan of the development.
Meanwhile, the contact tracing of those patients is currently in process and their contacts are being isolated also.