Dec 9, 2021: Pakistan has reported its first case of the new coronavirus variant Omicron.
According to the Sindh Health Department, the new variant was found in a non-vaccinated woman undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Karachi. The department added that the patient had come to Pakistan from abroad. The district health team has also contacted the woman’s family to get a detailed history and trace her whereabouts.
Last month, the Sindh government decided to make booster jobs mandatory to curb the spread of the new Omicron CoVID-19 type. Health Secretary Zulfiqar Ali Shah said that due to the new version, it has been decided to make booster dose mandatory across the province.
He said that Pfizer vaccine will be administered as a booster jab. “The booster dose is being given only in Jinnah Hospital and DOW Ojha Hospital but it will be provided to the entire province and no charges will be taken for the booster jab,” the health secretary said.
Last month, Planning, Development and Special Measures Minister Asad Omar warned that a new strain of the corona virus, Omicron, would arrive in Pakistan, urging everyone to get vaccinated immediately. Speaking to the press on Monday along with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Health Dr Faisal Sultan, the head of the National Command and Operations Center (NCOC) said that it was not possible to completely stop the spread of Omicron because the world is interconnected.
Earlier, Pakistan has decided to restrict inbound travel from nine more countries.
The National Command and Operations Center (NCOC) has added eight more names to the Category C list of countries from where there will be a ban on passengers entering Pakistan due to the threat of Omicorn.
The new Category C list includes Croatia, Hungary, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Ireland, Slovenia, Vietnam, Poland, South Africa, Mozambique, Lesotho, Iswatini, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The NCOC made the decision after reviewing the global Covid-19 situation. Last month, the NCOC had already banned inbound travel from South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, and Hong Kong.
The variant was first reported to WHO from South Africa in November. The first known confirmed Omicron infection was from a specimen collected on November 9.
In recent weeks, infections in South Africa have increased steeply, coinciding with the detection. The Omicron variant has also been found in 18 out of 50 US states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.
Stay tuned to BaaghiTV for latest news and Updates!
