ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said.
Mr. Khan is isolating at home and must remain isolated for at least 10 days, officials said. “The prime minister has a mild cough and fever,” said Dr. Faisal Sultan, the country’s de facto health minister. “A team of doctors is treating you.”
The prime minister received his first dose of vaccine on Thursday, and officials said it looked like he had been infected before inoculation. Government ministers and other officials who have had contact with Khan in the past three days are also testing for the virus. The protection of a vaccine usually takes some time to take effect, and two doses of most vaccines are needed for maximum protection.
Khan, 68, a former cricketer, is generally considered to be in very good health. But critics say he has been very casual about wearing a mask. During the opening of government projects on Friday, Khan can be seen in unmasked photos while meeting with officials.
Pakistan is facing a third wave of the pandemic, with an increase in the rate of positivity in recent weeks. “It is very alarming,” said Sultan, who noted that the rate had risen to 9.5%.
“Pressure is increasing in the federal capital, Peshawar, Karachi and in the main urban centers of Punjab,” he said at a news conference.
The pandemic has sickened more than 623,000 people in Pakistan and more than 14,000 died, according to a New York Times database.
Authorities urged the public to observe security protocols, warning that non-compliance could result in stricter restrictions. The increase in the number of cases forced the authorities to impose restrictions on food establishments and social gatherings.
Pakistan started vaccinating citizens over 60 this month with the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine.