Islamabad: Pakistan has reported a number of suspected cases of Omicron from its southwestern province Balochistan.
According to the health officials, the province a day earlier sent samples of some 32 COVID-19 positive case samples. Out of these, 12 have exhibited signs of Omicron.
The cases were reported in Balochistan’s Kalat district during a vaccination campaign and diagnostic process, said the provincial health officials.
The NCOC is yet to confirm the presence of the Omicron variant in Kalat district of Balochistan.
According to the Head of the province’s Coronavirus Operation Cell Dr Naqeebullah Niazi, 32 people tested positive for COVID-19 out of which 12 had signs of the Omicron variant.
He said their samples were sent to the National Institute of Health in Islamabad, where the presence of the variant would be confirmed after gene-sequencing. Dr Niazi said the suspected people had been quarantined.
Pakistan reported its first suspected case of the Omicron variant on December 8 in Karachi. Following the patient’s gene-sequencing, Aga Khan University Hospital confirmed the new variant.
400 samples collected
According to officials of the provincial health department, over 400 samples had been collected from Kalat for testing from December 1 to 18.
The DHO said that the suspected patients included a woman who recently delivered a baby.
He further stated the condition of those quarantined was reported stable and they are constantly being monitored.
Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo expressed concerns over the suspected presence of the Omicron variant in Kalat and sought a report from the health department.
Inevitable arrival
Last month, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiative Asad Umar and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan had cautioned the nation that the arrival of the Omicron variant was only a matter of time.
