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An unusual increase in COVID-19 cases during Karachi’s hot summer has puzzled medical professionals and led to at least four confirmed deaths, mostly among elderly patients with pre-existing health conditions. Health experts from various hospitals in the city, particularly the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), have confirmed a steady rise in hospital admissions due to COVID-19 over the past two weeks — a trend not typically seen during this time of year.
Deaths Reported Amid Surging Infections
All four recent COVID-19 fatalities occurred at AKUH, which is witnessing a consistent flow of patients needing hospital care due to the virus. Professor Dr. Syed Faisal Mahmood, an infectious disease specialist at AKUH, described the ongoing situation as “odd and unexpected.”
“Respiratory infections like COVID-19 usually rise in winter,” Dr. Mahmood explained, “but we are seeing more hospitalisations even as the city faces daytime temperatures exceeding 40°C.”
Though most cases are reportedly mild, the virus remains dangerous for individuals with compromised immune systems, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses.
Hospitals Across Karachi Reporting Daily Cases
Several healthcare facilities, including Dow Hospital and the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital (SIDH), are reporting a daily intake of COVID-19 patients. At Dow Hospital alone, 8 to 10 new symptomatic patients are arriving each day, hospital authorities confirmed.
Dr. Javed Khan, a respiratory specialist, stated that many of these patients test positive and display classic symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and sometimes difficulty breathing. “We are not seeing a crisis yet, but the uptick is notable and should not be ignored,” he said.
At SIDH, three patients were admitted as of Thursday, two confirmed by PCR and one by rapid antigen test. All samples are being sent to Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) for further analysis.
Possible Role of JN.1 Omicron Subvariant
Infectious disease experts suspect that the recent surge may be driven by the JN.1 subvariant of the Omicron strain. This variant, while generally milder than earlier strains, still poses a serious risk to high-risk groups.
“Symptoms we are seeing—sore throat, cough, fever, watery eyes, and even gastrointestinal complaints—strongly point to COVID-19 rather than common seasonal flu,” said a DUHS expert. “This is not typical flu season, and lab-confirmed COVID cases are supporting our suspicions.”
Genomic sequencing is underway to confirm whether the JN.1 subvariant is indeed the main driver of infections in the city.
Low Testing Rates Could Be Hiding True Numbers
A major concern highlighted by health officials is underreporting, largely due to people not getting tested. Many patients with mild symptoms prefer home remedies or symptomatic treatment and skip testing altogether.
Pakistan Slams India at WHO for Water Threats and Health Infrastructure Attacks
Officials at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad confirmed they are receiving only a limited number of samples from Karachi and other parts of the country. “Of the few we do get, 10 to 20 per cent are testing positive,” said an NIH representative. “We need more comprehensive data to understand the scale of this resurgence.”
Precautionary Measures and Expert Advice
Health professionals across Karachi are urging the public to take basic precautions seriously — especially the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, and those with chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.
Dr. Mahmood recommends the following:
- Wear a mask if experiencing symptoms like sore throat or cough.
- Avoid social gatherings.
- Consult a healthcare provider for symptomatic treatment.
- Get tested early if symptoms worsen.
Dr. Javed Khan also stressed the importance of hand hygiene and early testing. “If symptoms like fever or severe cough escalate, testing is essential to prevent complications and spread,” he added.
National Context: Scattered Cases, But No Alarming Trend Yet
While sporadic cases are being reported from other parts of Pakistan, including Islamabad, no formal reports of a widespread outbreak have been submitted by hospitals outside Karachi. However, the possibility of silent transmission exists, especially in the absence of consistent testing and reporting.
The NIH is planning enhanced surveillance nationwide to better monitor the situation.
Vaccination and Immunity Still Key Defenses
Pakistan’s diverse vaccine portfolio — including Sinopharm, Sinovac, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and others — helped mitigate severe outbreaks in the past. Health officials credit this vaccination coverage for keeping mortality relatively low during previous waves, even as multiple variants circulated.
However, waning immunity over time may leave vulnerable groups exposed, particularly in the absence of booster campaigns.
