WORLD Health Organisation (WHO) on Saturday warned that Omicron variant of Covid-19 is spreading significantly faster than the Delta strain in countries that documented community transmission, with number of cases doubling in 1.5 to three days.
The UN health agency also confirmed its detection in eighty-nine countries.The WHO update clearly suggests that the threat is far from over and countries witnessing spike in cases may again opt for restrictions.
British researchers also say they have found no evidence that the new variant is milder than Delta, casting doubt on cautious optimism of some experts that Omicron may not be as virulent and not overwhelm healthcare systems.
A non-peer reviewed study by Imperial College London stated the other day that risk of re-infection with Omicron is more than five times higher.
On Thursday, the US President Joe Biden warned of a ‘winter of severe illness and death’ for those unvaccinated against COVID-19, while health ministers at the G7 bloc of advanced economies called Omicron the biggest threat to global public health.
Indeed this is not a milder variant as was being predicted by some earlier and there is a need to be more cautious in order to avoid lockdowns and larger restrictions which will not be good for economies especially those of developing world.
As a result of timely decisions on the basis of scientific data, Pakistan has so far successfully tackled the pandemic.
Credit for this definitely goes to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).
Given the emergence of new variant, we do not need to be complacent and put in place all measures in order to avert the Omicron playing havoc with our economy and healthcare system.Already two cases of the new variant have been reported in Karachi.
It is therefore imperative, also suggested by Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar, that unvaccinated people immediately get their jabs.
Those who already have one should immediately get the second dose.Though efficacy of existing vaccines is not proven against the new variant, yet the studies suggest that vaccinated people can put up a strong resistance against Omicron and may stay save from severe disease.
This implies that through vaccination we can save our healthcare from getting overwhelmed.Thus, process of vaccination should be completed at the earliest.
Sufficient arrangements be made at all airports for Covid-19 tests so that any carrier of the virus could be immediately isolated.
Most importantly, awareness campaign against the pandemic must continue without any hiatus.
Already our economy and education system have greatly suffered from the pandemic.We can keep them functional through timely and prudent decisions.
The people will also have to act responsibly and cooperate with the government until the threat is completely over.
