Omicron spread may lead to rapid surge in fifth Covid-19 wave: NCOC

In the aftermath of rapidly surging cases of Omicron variant across the country, the National Command and Operation Center has decided to take strict measures for the mandatory vaccination, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The NCOC meeting was held under the chair of Development and Planning Minister Asad Umar in Islamabad on Monday. The meeting reviewed the changing condition of the pandemic, pace of national anti-Covid vaccination campaign and the elimination of the disease.

The NCOC which is spearheading the coronavirus eradication campaign decided to take strict measures to inoculate the population as Omicron variant is spreading its tentacles across the country at Godspeed trigging fifth wave.

The meeting observed that during last three days, the positivity ratio in Karachi has been jumped from 2% to 6%. It emphasized on the mask mandate and social distancing to avoid fifth wave of the pandemic.

Pakistan reported the highest number of new coronavirus cases in two months that emerged during the last 24 hours (Sunday), showed the data released by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).

After Oct 30, it was the first time that Pakistan reported 700 plus new coronavirus cases in a day.

According to the statistics released by NCOC, the country registered 708 new coronavirus cases along with two virus-related deaths.

After the addition of 2 new deaths, the toll has now surged to 28,933, which represents a ratio of 2.2 percent.

The positivity ratio of the coronavirus cases in Pakistan reaches 1.51 percent, as 708 new coronavirus cases emerged in the last 24 hours after conducting 45,643 tests. It takes the total cases tally to 1,295,933.

In order to halt the virus surge, Pakistan on Monday started Covid-19 booster shots for all people who are over 30 years old.

Reporter Saba Bajeer