Delta variant reaches crowded jails

At least 35 cases detected in metropolis since June

KARACHI:

The highly communicable Delta variant of Covid-19 has reached Sindh’s prisons, it emerged on Tuesday. At least six inmates, five of whom are incarcerated in Karachi’s central prison for women, have been infected by the Delta variant.

According to the Sindh health department, at least 35 cases of the more infectious mutation of the virus have been detected in Karachi since June 2021. Of these, 18 cases were detected in the past two weeks.

Overcrowded and increasingly susceptible

As the threat of a fourth wave of the pandemic looms across the country, a health official told The Express Tribune that given the lack of inspection at the entry points of prisons, infected persons managed to enter and inmates were infected. Covid-19 guidelines were ignored at the entrances, said the health official, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

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Sources privy to the development apprised that the infected inmates are undergoing treatment and are all on stable conditions.

The Delta variant, which first originated in India and has since become the dominant variant in both the United Kingdom and the United States of America besides being detected in over 90 other countries, is more transmissible, say health experts. Studies thus far have found that this variant spreads more rapidly due to mutations that make it better at latching onto cells in our bodies.

Patients in whom the Delta variant has been detected in Karachi have also reportedly experienced more severe symptoms.

The emergence of this variant in Sindh’s jails is especially alarming as prisons in the province are overcrowded and house inmates beyond their capacity. According to the Justice Project of Pakistan (JPP), Sindh’s jails are over 32 per cent beyond their capacity. This makes the prisons potential hotbeds for the virus and inmates are at increased risk of infection.

At least 3092 inmates in Sindh have been infected since March 2020, according to the data gathered by JPP.

Severe symptoms

Meanwhile, in a statement issued on Tuesday, the Sindh health department confirmed that at least 18 cases of the Delta variant were identified in Karachi this month alone. And since June 2021, 35 such cases have been confirmed.

A family of five in Lyari was found to be infected with Delta variant, mentioned the statement, adding that the infected persons are in critical condition.

“They have all been admitted at Lyari General Hospital,” said health department spokesperson Atif Vighio.

Official documents available with The Express Tribune show that the highest cluster of the Delta variant - 23 patients - was detected in Karachi’s district Central. The other 12 cases were detected in district East. Of the Delta variant cases, which were confirmed after selected Covid-19 positive samples were analysed using genome sequencing, 14 were of women. Some of these patients were said to be in critical condition.

Prevention better than cure

“Everyone is requested to get vaccinated. It is the only way to curb the virus,” pleaded Vighio, adding that thus far around 4.3 million citizens have been inoculated against the coronavirus in Sindh.

Similarly, Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho appealed to citizens to get vaccinated and follow the coronavirus-mandated standard operating procedures (SOPs). “Always wear a mask when outdoors or in public places. The effects of the Delta variant in India are there for all to see, citizens must exercise caution and act responsibly.”

Health officials urged citizens to restrict unnecessary movement, avoid social gatherings and implement SOPs besides getting inoculated to curb the spread of the virus.

The positivity ratio in the metropolis has jumped to 15 per cent in recent days and health officials fear that this may increase in the coming days as Eidul Azha approaches.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2021.