ISLAMABAD: As the public gets back to routine life after Eidul Fitr celebrations without COVID-19 restrictions for the first time in two years, first case of the Omicron sub-variant detected on Monday, the National Institute of Health (NIH) , Islamabad reported.
The NIH on Twitter said it detected a case of Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1 through genome sequencing. It said that the new sub-variant is causing increasing number of COVID-19 cases in different countries.
The NIH advised people to take the best preventive measure to avoid contracting the virus, which is vaccination against it. “We strongly recommended getting vaccinated and all those due for boosters must get the shots immediately,” the tweet read.
NIH has detected the first case of Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1. This new sub-variant is causing increasing number of cases in different countries.
— NIH Pakistan (@NIH_Pakistan) May 9, 2022
Director General Health Dr Rana Muhammad Safdar apprised an media outlet of the country that the Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1 was detected in a traveller who had returned from Qatar.
He added that this sub-variant is seen in the recent spike in cases in the US. “The disease severity and hospitalization remain the same as Omicron but data is limited as of now.”
Pakistan reported 64 new COVID-19 cases overnight, official data issued by NIH showed Monday. With the fresh cases, the coronavirus positivity ratio stood at 0.49%. However, no deaths were reported during the last 24 hours.
Pakistanis have more or less not been following any COVID-19 related standard operating procedures since March 31, when the government scrapped all coronavirus restrictions across the country.
“The pandemic has not ended yet but undergoing the ending phase,” the then planning and development minister Asad Umar had said while announcing the decision.
