ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, on Sunday wished Prime Minister Imran Khan a speedy recovery from the coronavirus.
Khan, 68, tested positive for the virus on Saturday. According to Pakistan's health chief, Dr. Faisal Sultan, the prime minister is experiencing mild symptoms of the disease. Both the PM and the first lady, who also tested positive, are self-isolating at home.
"My heartfelt wishes to his excellency, my brother, Prime Minister Imran Khan @ImranKhanPTI. Get well really soon," the Saudi envoy said in a series of tweets in Arabic and Urdu.
As a wave of messages wishing the prime minister a speedy recovery followed the news of his illness, Khan on Sunday took to the social media to thank everyone in Pakistan and abroad.
"I want to thank everyone in Pakistan & abroad for their good wishes and prayers for the quick recovery of the first lady and I from Covid 19," he said on Twitter.
Khan, 68, tested positive for the virus just two days after he received his first injected dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, as Pakistan earlier this month launched a coronavirus vaccination drive for the general public, starting with those above the age of 60.
To prevent speculation that the PM’s illness is related to vaccination or that vaccination is ineffective, the health ministry said on Saturday said Khan was
"not fully vaccinated when he contracted the virus."
"He only got the 1st dose and merely 2 days ago which is too soon for ANY vaccine to become effective," the ministry said in a tweet.
The incubation period of COVID-19 — the time between exposure to the virus and symptom onset — is on average five to six days, according to the World Health Organization.
It takes at least two weeks after vaccination for the body to acquire immunity against the virus that causes COVID-19.
