PESHAWAR: The Balochistan Health Department has reported 32 ‘suspected’ cases of Omicron, however, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) has not yet confirmed the cases.
The In-charge of Covid-19 operation cell in Balochistan, Dr Naqibullah Niazi, said that the samples of the patients have been sent to National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad for confirmation as the suspects have been quarantined in a center in Qalat. Dr Naqibullah said that in the preceding 24 hours, 25 other cases of Covid-19 have also been detected.
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The first case of the highly contagious variant of Coronavirus was first detected in Karachi on 13 December. The second case was also reported in Karachi on December 17 and was confirmed by the National Institute of Health on December 13. The new variant of the coronavirus, Omicron, was first diagnosed in November in South Africa and then in Hong Kong. After the new variant was detected, the NCOC imposed travel restrictions on various countries including South Africa.
The sources said that the suspected patients in Qalat have escaped from quarantined center. The health department via a letter, has directed the district health officer of Qalat to search suspected patients and place them quarantine center. The Chief Minister of Balochistan has expressed concern over the Omicron cases in Qalat and instructed health workers to exercise utmost caution. The chief minister directed that the suspected persons be immediately vaccinated against virus and also demanded progress report of PCR test.
At the same time, Abdul Qaddos Bizenjo ordered the health department to increase the efficiency of coronavirus vaccination and testing, saying that the variant could be dangerous, so measures should be taken to protect public health. The Chief Minister said that immunization is the only way to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 and its new variant.