Omicron about to unleash another wave in Pakistan, warns Asad Umar

Minister for Planning and NCOC head Asad Umar on Sunday warned that there were clear signs that the country was going to be hit by another wave of Covid-19 pandemic as genome sequencing revealed that the Omicron variant cases started surging across the country particularly in Karachi, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

In his tweet, the minister wrote: “Clear evidence now of a beginning of another Covid wave which has been expected for last few weeks. Genome sequencing shows rising proportion of Omicron cases particularly in Karachi. Remember: wearing a mask is your best protection.”

Clear evidence now of a beginning of another covid wave which has been expected for last few weeks. Genome sequencing showing rising proportion of omicron cases particularly in karachi. Remember : wearing a mask is your best protection

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) January 2, 2022

As the world struggles to breathe from the impact of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, Lahore has also started to feel the heat from this latest virus.

As many as 44 Omicron variant cases were reported in Lahore during the last 24 hours (Saturday) taking the toll in the city to 77.

Of the total 594 coronavirus cases throughout Pakistan, 148 were in Lahore including the 44 Omicron infections with a positivity ratio in the city standing at 3.80 percent.

Only a day before, a micro smart lockdown had been imposed in Karachi’s Gulshan Iqbal area after 11 members of a family had tested positive for the Omicron variant. Deputy Commissioner East issued a notification for slapping smart lockdown in Block 7 of Gulshan Iqbal.

Eleven members of a family were tested Omicron positive which resulted in their self-quarantine at their home in Gulshan Iqbal. The infected members including three women and three men belonging to the same family had contracted Omicron variant Covid-19 in Karachi’s District East.

All the people have now been quarantined at their homes while authorities have also collected samples from the people who came into their contact to prevent their further spread of the virus. The infected coronavirus patients are aged between 26 to 77 years old.

So far 44 omicrons cases have been detected in the port city of Karachi.

As per reports, officials of the Sindh Health Department said they had sent the samples of 20 people infected with COVID-19 to the Dow University for confirmation of the Omicron variant and after analysis, the Dow University confirmed that 11 people of the family, who came in contact with a female member of their family from Lahore, were infected with the Omicron variant.

Experts and health authorities warned and urged people to take precautionary measures, wear masks and get vaccinated with booster dose, if required.

In November, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan warned that Pakistan could face the fifth wave of coronavirus in winter as people had stopped using facemasks. 

Also Read: Pakistan logs 8 more corona deaths, 594 infections in a day

In an interview with a private TV channel, Dr Sultan said that the government had achieved vaccination targets to some extent. “Millions in the country still need to be vaccinated against coronavirus,” he said, adding that these people were at most risk.

On Wednesday, the medical experts had warned that fifth wave of coronavirus could hit Pakistan in the month of February. 

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The health experts cautioned that the Omicron variant which is spreading across the globe quite rampantly could unleash a fifth wave in Pakistan in February. 

The National Health Institute in its Twitter message on Tuesday last called upon the people to get vaccinated and boosted saying vaccination and SOPs are the best defence against Covid-19.

pic.twitter.com/sPJtBngRm3

— NIH Pakistan (@NIH_Pakistan) December 28, 2021

Reporter Azmat Awan