Lahore is reeling from an outbreak of Omicron variant infections, with 44 new cases reported.
According to the A News , Minister for Planning and NCOC Head Asad Umar warned on Sunday that there were clear signs that the country was about to be hit by another wave of Covid-19 pandemic after genome sequencing revealed that Omicron variant cases began surging across the country, particularly in Karachi.
“Clear signs now of the beginning of another Covid wave, which has been foreseen for the last few weeks,” the minister tweeted. Genome sequencing reveals an increase in Omicron instances, especially in Karachi. Remember, the best protection is to wear a mask.”
As the rest of the world battles to recover from the effects of the Omicron variety of Covid-19, Lahore has begun to feel the heat.
In the last 24 hours (Saturday), 44 Omicron variant cases have been reported in Lahore, bringing the total number of cases in the city to 77.
There were 148 coronavirus cases in Lahore, including 44 Omicron infections, with a positive ratio of 3.80 percent in the city.
A micro smart lockdown had been enforced just a day before in Karachi’s Gulshan Iqbal neighbourhood after 11 members of a family tested positive for the Omicron strain. Block 7 of Gulshan Iqbal has been placed under smart lockdown, according to Deputy Commissioner East.
All of the persons have been confined at their houses, and authorities have taken samples from everybody who came into touch with them in order to prevent the virus from spreading further. Patients infected with the coronavirus range in age from 26 to 77 years old.
In the port city of Karachi, 44 omicrons cases have been discovered thus far.
According to reports, officials from the Sindh Health Department said they had sent samples of 20 people infected with COVID-19 to the Dow University for confirmation of the Omicron variant, and after analysis, the Dow University confirmed that 11 members of the family had been infected with the Omicron variant after coming into contact with a female member of their family from Lahore.
People had stopped wearing facemasks, according to Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan, who warned in November that Pakistan could face the fifth wave of coronavirus in the winter.
Also see: Pakistan records another 8 corona fatalities and 594 infections in a single day
In an interview with a private television programme, Dr Sultan stated that the government has met some of its vaccine targets. “There are still millions of people in the country who need to be vaccinated against coronavirus,” he added, adding that these people were the most vulnerable.
Medical experts warned on Wednesday that Pakistan could be hit by the fifth wave of coronavirus in February.
Also read: More than 2,700 flights have been cancelled at US airports
The National Health Institute in its Twitter message on Tuesday last called upon the people to get vaccinated and boosted saying vaccination and SOPs are the best defence against Covid-19.