ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: Pakistan reported on Monday more than 700 Covid-19 cases in a single day, its highest tally in two months, as authorities warned of a fifth wave of infections and made preparations to try to contain the fast-spreading Omicron variant.
At least 708 cases in the past 24 hours pushed the positivity ratio to 1.55 percent, the highest since October 24, according to data from the National Command Operation Centre (NCOC), which is overseeing the pandemic response.
Statistics 3 Jan 22:
Total Tests in Last 24 Hours: 45,643
Positive Cases: 708
Positivity %: 1.55%
Deaths :2
Patients on Critical Care: 642— NCOC (@OfficialNcoc) January 3, 2022
Pakistan’s daily coronavirus infections had been declining since October. The transmission rate remained less than 1 percent since November 8, leading the government to believe it may not be forced by the pandemic to go for restrictions again.
The country reported its first case of Omicron through genome sequencing on December 13. As of Monday, health authorities have detected 372 cases of the variant.
The latest surge in cases apparently driven by the Omicron variant was “clear evidence now of [the] beginning of another Covid wave which has been expected for last few weeks”, Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar, who also heads the NCOC, warned.
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 [is] showing [a] rising proportion of Omicron cases particularly in Karachi. Remember: wearing a mask is your best protection,” he tweeted.
A meeting of the NCOC said the latest wave of coronavirus was spreading rapidly in the country. In the last three days, the positive rate in Karachi has jumped from two to six percent, it added.
The forum urged the people to use face masks to avoid contracting the disease and ensure social distancing in the outdoor settings to minimise the spread of the Omicron variant.
The participants also reviewed the progress of district-wise vaccination campaigns and their targets, directing the provinces to achieve their vaccination targets at the earliest.
Meanwhile, medical professionals have also raised concerns about the variant. “Omicron variant of coronavirus is going to cause a surge in the number of Covid-19 cases in our country including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in coming days as this infection is unlikely to be prevented by the two doses of vaccine,” Prof Khalid Mahmood, a physician at Lady Reading Hospital stated.
Prof Ziaul Haq, the vice-chancellor of Khyber Medical University, said that a booster dose was highly recommended for fully immunised people in view of the new variant.
“Projections and international trends are alarming and we may have a very heavy fifth wave on our way with predominant Omicron variant,” he said. The doubling time of Omicron is two to three days compared to two-week of Delta and this may lead to a tsunami of cases.
Prof Zia said that the Omicron variant had a high number of asymptomatic cases, therefore, the unknown positive cases in Pakistan may already be very high than the reported ones.
In a rapid first response to Omicron, which was first detected in southern Africa and Hong Kong, Pakistan banned the entry of foreigners from a dedicated list of countries — C Category — in December and has imposed 14-day quarantine orders for nationals returning from abroad.
First detected in November, the Omicron variant has now been reported in 57 countries and continues to spread rapidly in South Africa, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said.
About 70 million people, or 32 percent of the population, have had two vaccine doses.
The government authorised booster doses for citizens over the age of 30 from Monday. Children over the age of 12 are being offered vaccinations at their schools.
Ministry of National Health Services Director General Dr Rana Safdar said booster doses of choice would be given to citizens.
“It means that mix and match has been allowed or booster of the same company which was administered earlier can be given as per choice of the people,” he had said.
LESS SEVERE SYMPTOMS
Data is still too limited to know with certainty whether Omicron changes the severity of the illness. However, a new study out of South Africa found that patients hospitalised with the disease during the Omicron wave suffered fewer severe Covid-19 symptoms and were less likely to die.
A breakdown of the numbers showed 74 percent of hospitalised patients needed oxygen therapy during the Delta variant’s wave. Only 17.6 percent needed it during the Omicron wave.
Before Omicron, the median days for staying at a hospital was eight days. Now, that number is down to three.
The death rate dropped from 29.1 percent with Delta to 2.7 percent with Omicron.
On Friday, South Africa lifted a nighttime curfew on people’s movement with immediate effect, believing the country has passed the peak of its fourth coronavirus wave driven by the Omicron variant.
“While the Omicron variant is highly transmissible, there has been lower rates of hospitalisation than in previous waves,” a statement from a special cabinet meeting held on Thursday said.
Meanwhile, the ongoing coronavirus vaccination campaign remained suspended on Sunday for a second day to facilitate staff as was announced by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC).
“All vaccination centres across the country will remain closed on Jan 1 and 2, 2022 (Saturday and Sunday) as vaccination staff remained extensively engaged in achieving national targets for the year 2021,” read a statement issued by the body.
“Vaccination campaign will resume from Jan 3-onwards,” it added.
Overall, according to the forum, 70.5 million people have now been fully vaccinated against the disease, while another 96.98 million are partially vaccinated.
The NCOC also reviewed the current situation of the disease in the country today and determined that the fifth wave was being driven by the Omicron variant and was “spreading at a great pace”.
“The forum agreed upon taking strict measures regarding obligatory vaccination regime,” said a press release issued from the body.
The forum also took note of the rise in Karachi’s positivity in the last three days from two per cent to 6pc.
The NCOC on Monday, urged people to get themselves vaccinated and follow Covid-19 standard operating procedures to curb the spread of the fifth wave.
Additionally, district wise vaccination targets were set and the forum was informed that “all-out efforts” were being made by engaging provinces to ensure they achieve their targets as soon as possible.
