Pakistani Prime Minister Cricket legend Imran Khan has tested positive for COVID-19 – two days after receiving the first dose of vaccine, officials said.
The 68-year-old leader was in “good health,” with a mild cough and fever, and isolated himself at home, said his special health aide, Dr. Faisal Sultan. announcing the infection Saturday.
The prime minister’s wife and two senior members of his Tehreek-e-Insaf (Justice) party have yielded positive results, the Sultan said on Sunday.
Khan – who regularly attends rallies without a mask – had just received his first vaccine on Thursday.
Key members of his administration have urged citizens to continue vaccinating, fearing that news of the driver’s illness will only increase widespread hesitation in Pakistan over the shootings.
“The symptoms last a few days before the manifestation. Therefore, it is certain that the PM was infected before the vaccination “, said Asad Umar, the minister responsible for COVID-19 operations in the country, in a tweet.
“So please get vaccinated,” he wrote.
Although it has not been announced which vaccine was given to Khan, the shot produced by China National Pharmaceutical Group – Sinopharm – is the only one officially available in Pakistan.
Media reports say a private Pakistani pharmaceutical company has imported 50,000 doses of Russian Sputnik V vaccine, according to The Associated Press.
Pakistan has seen an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the capital and in the eastern and northern areas. Authorities reported 44 new deaths and 3,667 new confirmed infections on Sunday.
Overall, the virus has killed nearly 14,000 people in Pakistan and infected more than 626,000.
With Post Wires