Health authorities on Wednesday said that a surveillance system was in place at all entry points of the country to monitor incoming passengers in the wake of the threat posed by the new BF.7 Omicron variant of Covid-19.
According to an official of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination, several additional measures had been taken to prevent the spread of the subvariant.
He said that instructions had been issued to the concerned authorities to ensure that people, coming from other countries, go through thermal scanners at airports across Pakistan.
The official stated that an “efficient system with a proper management team is fully functional” in the country to remain vigilant and was ready to make an emergency plan to deal with any sub-variant of Covid-19.
In case of any untoward situation, he pointed out, the health system was “fully prepared to deal with any sub-variant” of the Omicron variant, including BF.7, in the country.
The official added that medical staff at intensive care units (ICU) of hospitals across the country were also active to handle any situation.
He further said that genome sequencing was initiated in laboratories of all four provinces and the federal capital.
“Ninety per cent of the country’s population has already received the Covid-19 vaccine so they are safe,” he added.
The official said that special directions were issued to ensure the availability of an adequate quantity of ventilators, oxygen supplies, and antiviral medicines in the hospitals.
Meanwhile, as per data shared by the National Institute of Health (NIH), 26 new cases were reported during the last 24 hours across the country.
The case positivity ratio was 0.75pc, while 14 patients were in critical condition. No death was reported from Covid-19 in the last 24 hours while 3,488 tests were conducted.—APP
