National health officials on Monday confirmed emergence of a new
coronavirus sub-variant B.4,B.5 in the country.

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) sources the cases of B.4,B.5, a sub-varianat Omicron
strain of coronavirus, are continuously being reported.

The new variant rapidly spread but has not been more lethal, sources said.

NIH sources have informed that all Covid-19 vaccines are effective against Covid-19 sub-variant B.4,B.5.

The cases of new sub-variant of coronavirus are being reported from different cities in Pakistan.

Pakistan has again witnessed a surge in daily Covid-19 cases as 171 people were found infected during
the last 24 hours, according to data shared by the NIH today.

The new infections were detected after 11,212 coronavirus diagnostic tests conducted across the
country, which placed Pakistan’s positivity ratio at 1.53% and the overall case count at 1,532,153.

Presently, the country’s active cases stand at 3,148, the NIH said.

However, no Covid-19-related death was reported during the past 24 hours. The overall death toll count
stands at 30,383, it added.

The forum further shared that the cases count has increased across the country, particularly in
Hyderabad and Karachi, where the positivity ratio was recorded at 16.67per cent and 10.08pc
respectively.

International experts had recently warned that a new strain of Omicron is threatening a new wave of
rampant flu and other respiratory diseases. The Omicron BA.5 sub-variant, was identified in April by
South African labs.