ISLAMABAD: Omicron, a new and deadly corona variant, seems hitting Pakistan hard in coming days as its infection rate has jumped- up alarmingly during the last couple of weeks in the country. The official statistics confirmed positive rate of over 2 % of the virus on January 6, 2021. Pakistan recorded 1048 cases of corona and five deaths during the last 24 hours.
On Thursday, the virus infected president , Dr Arif Alvi and Punjab Health minister, Dr Yasmin Rashid. These two high profile infections have rang alarm bells for the National Command Operation Centre (NCOC) and other concerned government departments. Federal minister, Asad Umar, who also heads NCOC, had warned the public a few days ago and asked the people to take precautionary measures including the use of mask to protect themselves from the virus.
Pakistan was lucky to cope with previous four corona variants effectively. Its loss, both in human and economic terms, have been nominal as compared to other regional countries. NCOC’s strategy to counter the deadly virus had been a great success in the past. Pakistan would like to replicate the same strategy to tackle with omicron in coming days. Meanwhile, NCOC has directed to the officials of Pakistan health department to equip the hospitals with all necessary arrangements to handle the situation in case omicron variant grows at abnormal pace in coming weeks. Pakistan’s strategists are expecting peak of omicron cases in next 2 to three weeks.
Pakistan’s concerned departments are monitoring the omicron situation in the region, in particular, its next door India. India is struggling to cope with fast expanding omicron cases. Like the previous corona variants, omicron is also growing in India at dangerous pace. According to India media reports, India recorded over 40000 omicron cases in just last 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to get all the cricket players and team management member done boster to avoid omicron infection.
