Fifth COVID-19 wave starting in Pakistan, warns Asad Umar

With the gradual rise in positivity rate, the fifth COVID-19 wave is starting in Pakistan, the federal minister Asad Umar sends a warning to the nation on Sunday.

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives and NCOC chief Asad Umar in a tweet said, “Clear evidence now of a beginning of another covid wave which has been expected for last few weeks. Genome sequencing shows a rising proportion of omicron cases particularly in Karachi.”

“Remember: wearing a mask is your best protection,” Asad Umer urged.

On the other hand, Pakistan’s positivity rate is gradually rising. 

It remained over 1 percent for the second consecutive day on Saturday. 

During the last 24 hours, Pakistan has reported as many as eight deaths due to COVID-19 and 594 new cases.

According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), 45,585 tests were conducted while the positivity ratio remained at 1.30% percent.

According to NCOC, 637 patients are said to be in critical condition.

The region-wise breakdown of reported COVID cases and deaths is as follows:

• Sindh: 382 cases, 3 deaths
• Punjab: 121 cases, 3 deaths
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 28 cases, 2 deaths
• Balochistan: 6 cases
• Islamabad: 54 cases
• Azad Jammu and Kashmir: 3 cases

While Gilgit-Baltistan did not report any new infections.