The most contagious COVID subvariant, XBB.1.5, has been found in the nation through genome sequencing, according to the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH).
It claimed that the general population’s “very good immunity” and the nation’s incredibly low testing rates were to blame for the country’s relatively low number of COVID-19 cases.
According to a specialist affiliated with AKU, “Yes, we have discovered the XBB.1.5 sub-variant of Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 (Coronavirus) through genome sequencing of the virus from an infected patient.
A very small number of COVID-19 cases were reported from the country, the expert, who asked to remain anonymous, claimed. The expert also believed that the majority of those infected with the new sub-variant of the Coronavirus were not getting themselves tested despite having upper respiratory tract infections.
After 3,085 tests were performed, only 11 people tested positive for COVID-19, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad, which also noted that only 14 people nationwide were in critical condition.
Commenting on the presence of COVID-19 sub-variant in Pakistan and its impacts, renowned infectious diseases expert Dr Rana Jawad Asghar said XBB.1.5 is the most immunity-evading subvariant of the Omicron variant to date and it is infecting millions of people throughout the world including Pakistan.
