Tengrinews.kz - Amid reports of a new, more contagious COVID-19 variant circulating in the United States, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Healthcare has issued a statement on the country's current epidemiological situation.
The NB.1.8.1 variant, first detected in China in January this year, has gained attention due to its high transmissibility. However, Kazakhstan’s Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Control reassured the public that the situation remains stable nationwide.
"The epidemiological situation regarding COVID-19 in Kazakhstan is stable. Since the beginning of the year, 362 cases have been registered, which is 3.4 times lower than during the same period last year. No fatalities have been recorded, and cases are mild, with patients receiving outpatient care," the statement reads.
The ministry continues to carry out weekly surveillance of infection rates within Kazakhstan and globally. Additionally, quarterly monitoring of circulating variants is ongoing.
According to recent laboratory data, all detected cases in Kazakhstan this year have been linked to the Omicron variant, specifically the JN.1 subtype and its sublineages LF.7.1.3, LP.8.1, LF.7.6, and KP.3.1.1.