ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s health ministry said on Tuesday there were 15 confirmed cases of the JN.1 coronavirus strain in the country, which the World Health Organization last month classified as a “variant of interest” but from which current evidence shows a low risk to public health.

Pakistan has reported over 1.5 million cases of the coronavirus since the start of the pandemic late in 2019, with 30,371 deaths.

“The situation is being closely monitored and in this regard Border Health Services, National and Provincial Health Authorities and labs are fully active and alert,” Caretaker Health Minister Dr. Nadeem Jan was quoted as saying in a ministry handout. 

“There is an effective screening system at international airports at all entry and exit points.”

The JN.1 variant has so far been reported in more than 60 countries.

Pakistan has administered at least 278,150,849 doses of COVID vaccines so far. Assuming every person needs two doses, that’s enough to have vaccinated about 64.2 percent of the country’s population.

Last week, Pakistan advised social distancing, wearing masks and proper sanitation and hygiene to prevent the spread of the new strain.

Screening at international borders was increased in the beginning of January while the federal government has also decided to procure an additional 500,000 vaccine doses.

JN.1 was first detected in the United States in September, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).