Pakistan detects first suspected case of omicron variant in Karachi

Pakistan has detected the first suspected case of the omicron variant in Karachi.

A private hospital in Karachi reported the first case of the variant in a 57-year-old female patient who is unvaccinated.

Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho said that a genomic study was being carried out for confirmation.

In a video message, Sindh Health Minister said that the genomic study of the coronavirus patient’s sample had not been conducted but “the way the virus is behaving, it seems like it is Omicron.”

“Omicron is very transmissible but deaths or serious [conditions] have not been seen in recent reports coming from South Africa (where the variant was first detected). There is no cause for concern. We are conducting a genomic study which will take one or two weeks.”

“The virus also spreads because people are not vaccinated. This woman was not vaccinated either. I am appealing to you to get the second dose and if you are fully vaccinated, get the booster dose. It can protect you,” she stressed.

“For those who are fully vaccinated and it has been six months since, please get yourselves a booster shot,” she urged.