65 more cases of Delta variant detected in Karachi

KARACHI: Another 65 cases of COVID-19’s Delta variant have been detected in the metropolis, taking the total to 100, Karachi University’s International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) revealed today (Thursday).

The National Institute of Virology (NIV), which tested 2,062 samples sent by the Sindh Health Department on July 12 and 13, said that 163 results came back positive. “Of these, genotyping of randomly selected 94 positive samples of COVID-19 revealed 65 cases of Delta variant,” it said.

ICCBS Director, Professor Dr Mohammad Iqbal Choudhary, said that besides the Delta variant, two cases of the Beta (South African) variant, two cases of a wild-type variant and 25 cases of unidentified variants were also confirmed.

“The 25 cases may be Delta Plus variant or a new variant,” he said, adding, “The presence of Sars-CoV-2 Delta variant has already been confirmed in the Sindh province and its local transmission is evident from the recently identified cluster.”

“Researchers of the National Institute of Virology are constantly monitoring the spread of this variant in the metropolis, which is really a matter of concern,” he concluded.

On Tuesday, the Sindh Health Department had confirmed detecting 35 cases of the coronavirus Delta variant in Karachi. The individuals who were carrying this variant showed extreme symptoms of the virus, the statement said.

Considering the highly contagious nature of the variant, the Sindh Health Department advised everyone to restrict their movements unless absolutely necessary. The provincial government has also urged the masses to strictly adhering to the coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs) in order to contain the spread of the virus.

Delta variant making up 50% of COVID-19 cases in Pakistan

On Tuesday, Federal Parliamentary Health Secretary Dr Nausheen Hamid revealed that the Delta variant of the coronavirus was now making up a whopping 50% of the total infections in Pakistan.

The lawmaker said the COVID-19 vaccines that Pakistan is administering are effective against the Delta variant. Dr Hamid highlighted that no vaccine in the world is 100% effective against the Delta variant, however, if a person gets the jab, the virus will not affect their health badly.