As cases of Omicron increases in Karachi, Sindh may once again impose a lockdown in the coming days. The Sindh Health Department is considering restricting business hours and closing down schools in Karachi.
According to reports, the positivity ratio in Karachi has reached 8.91 percent. As many as 236 people have tested positive in Karachi after 2650 underwent the COVID test. Important to note, 50% Covid-19 cases in Sindh are Omicron variants.
In December 2021, Karachi reported Pakistan’s first case of the Omicron variant. The patient arrived in Pakistan from abroad and tested positive. The rapid response team immediately took action for tracing, testing, quarantining, vaccination, and other preventive measures to control the infection’s spread as per the guidelines of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC). However, the situation has worsened since then.
Karachi also has the lowest vaccination rate as compared to other cities in Pakistan. As per sources, only 40% of Karachi’s total population is vaccinated.
Read more: Covid-19 hotspots in Karachi to be shut down from today
In response to the high number of cases in Karachi, the authorities may once again announce the closure of schools and businesses. The Sindh Health department informed Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah about the worsening situation of the coronavirus pandemic driven by the new variant. The minister urged the people in the province to adopt preventive measures. Otherwise, the government will take strict action.
Sindh Health Department considering shutting down schools and reducing businesses/shopping hours to reduce the spread of COVID in Karachi. Final decision expected in 2-3 days.
— Wajahat Kazmi (@KazmiWajahat) January 4, 2022
Pakistan reports more than 300 Omicron cases
According to the data of the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination, Pakistan recorded 372 cases of Omicron. Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad reported the most cases.
In the last few days, Pakistan also saw an increase in overall Covid cases. On Sunday it recorded 708 new cases, the highest in over two months. During a press conference, federal minister Asad Umar also warned that there were “clear signs of a new wave” of the virus surging in the country.
Read more: Omicron may halt companies plans to return to office
Separately, Dr. Sultan has tweeted about an “unmistakable upward trend” in the positivity rate of the country in the last six days.
Covid testing positivity rates for the last week
28 Dec 0.69%
29 Dec0.87%
30 Dec0.95%
31 Dec1.07%
2 Jan1.30%
3 Jan1.55%
Unmistakable upward trend…
1.Wear masks
2.Get vaccinated— Faisal Sultan (@fslsltn) January 3, 2022