The National Institute of Health, which conducts the essential research and development on the deadly virus, is authorised to deliver corona updates in Pakistan. The institute stated that the first instance of the Indian variety was discovered in Pakistan on May 28, 2021. The news shook the entire country, as this version had wreaked devastation in the neighbouring country.
With this new strain, B.1.617.2, India saw its worst-ever wave, with the healthcare system crumbling, a serious lack of oxygen, and a record number of deaths per day. In order to prevent this strain from entering Pakistan, Indian citizens were barred from visiting the country earlier this month. Despite this, the case was confirmed.
It isn't the first time that a new variety has been discovered in Pakistan as a result of the corona update. South African, Brazilian, and British varieties had already invaded the nation before the Indian variant. While the British variety was predominantly detected in Punjab and KPK, aggravating the covid situation in those regions, cases of the Brazilian and South African variants were reported in Karachi. In Pakistan, these novel variations were mostly responsible for the third wave.
When these new varieties were discovered, the federal and provincial governments acted quickly to stop the spread of these dangerous viruses. Smart lockdown and the use of work-from-home options, as well as the closure of stores by 6 p.m. and educational institutions, were quickly implemented. People were instructed to wear masks and keep a safe distance from one another. In addition, the vaccination drive was in full swing across the country. Although the vaccinations' efficacy against the new strains has yet to be shown, they do help to lessen the severity of the virus's symptoms.
People's actions and precautions resulted in a decrease in covid cases in Pakistan. Pakistan is also one of the top countries that have successfully implemented immunisation efforts. If we keep taking this method, we may be able to reach a point where Pakistan will be able to achieve herd immunity against the lethal virus in the future.