Jan 2, 2022: Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives and NCOC head, Asad Umar says genome sequencing shows rising proportion of omicron cases particularly in Karachi. Asad Umar says genome sequencing shows rising proportion of omicron cases particularly in Karachi and that the next COVID-19 wave is beginning

In a tweet on Sunday, Asad Umar warned that clear evidence now suggests the “beginning” of another coronavirus wave, adding that the outbreak had been expected for the last few weeks.

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

“Genome sequencing shows a rising proportion of omicron cases particularly in Karachi.”

He reminded the public the only way to stay completely protected is to wear masks and urged people to follow SOPS.

“Remember: wearing a mask is your best protection,” he urged.

The warning comes after Karachi on Friday, confirmed 11 more cases of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Reports suggest that 11 members of a single-family were found to be infected with the new strain.

The patients who are residents of the city’s District East, included eight women and three men aged between 26 and 77. With the addition of new cases, the number of confirmed cases of Omicron type in Metropolis has increased to 44. On December 28, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) said that so far 75 cases of different types of Omicron have been reported in Pakistan.

33 cases were reported in Karachi, 17 in Islamabad and 13 in Lahore. The NIH said authorities were looking for contacts to prevent further spread of the omicron variety in the country. A lockdown was imposed in Gulshan-e-Iqbal’s Block 7 area and other hotspots on the report of the district health officers.

The NCOC had initially decided to allow booster jabs for healthcare workers, immunocompromised people and those aged over 50 years. Keeping the potential surge of omicron in mind, it later approved booster jabs for people aged 30 and above.

Umar earlier this week also announced that the country had vaccinated 70 million people in the past year, saying that he is “grateful for the tireless work of the NCOC team, the federal and provincial administrations, and the health teams”.

“To make this massive vaccination drive possible, the Federal Government has procured vaccines worth nearly Rs 250 billion,” he added.

The head of the WHO has said that the omicron variant of the corona virus was spreading faster than the delta variant and was causing infections in people who had already been vaccinated or who were infected with COVID-19 and have recovered.

The variant also appears to be better at evading antibodies generated by some COVID-19 vaccines but there are other forms of immunity that may prevent infection and disease, WHO officials said.

Stay tuned to BaaghiTV for latest news and Updates!