No imminent threat from new COVID-19 variant: Pakistan

Islamabad: Authorities in Pakistan have ruled out any imminent resurgence of COVID-19, particularly the new variant. But the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), the country’s nerve centre on coronavirus, has been directed to issue precautionary COVID-19 variant risk advisory for the public and stakeholders on a daily basis.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has also directed the National Institute of Health (NIH) to review its stock of vaccines and arrangements at hospitals and be prepared for any untoward situation as reports emerge of a possible outbreak of the new virus.

Chairman of the authority, Lt General Inam Haider Malik, gave these directions at a special session of National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC).

According to an NDMA statement, the NIH team was called to brief the participants on updated monitoring of regional trends of new variant of coronavirus.

“NDMA chairman focused on evolving COVID-19 variants and expressed confidence in Pakistan’s current strategies and national preparedness.

“However, the situation will be continuously monitored by NCOC and preparedness, preventative protocols and vaccination administration system will be strengthened to tackle spike,” it stated.

‘Over 90% population inoculated’

Meanwhile, according to the NIH, over 90 per cent of the local population is inoculated against COVID-19 with Chinese, American, Western and Russian vaccines.

According to the NCOC, Pakistan’s current COVID-19 positivity rate stands a little over 0.50 per cent and 95 per cent of the country’s eligible population has been inoculated with a first, and 90 per cent with a second dose of coronavirus vaccines.

However, authorities are continuously monitoring the situation and preparing for any eventuality.

According to the NIH, emergence of sub-variants of the Omicron variant is a routine phenomenon and more such variants and sub-variants would continue to emerge as viruses evolve into new forms foe the sake of their survival.

Genome sequencing facilities are now available at dozens of research and diagnostic labs across the country, it said.

'Comprehensive surveillance system in place'

Besides, a comprehensive system of surveillance is in place to detect any new variant or sub-variant of the COVID-19 virus at international airports and other entry points of the country, said an expert associated with NIH Islamabad, adding that major hospitals in the country were also ready to deal with any resurge in COVID-19 cases.

NDMA chairman directed the federal and provincial authorities to ensure the availability of treatment facilities at intensive care units (ICUs) and high dependency units (HDUs) at healthcare facilities across the country.

He also instructed the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) at NIH to issue advisory and guidelines to deal with any emergency.