The government of Pakistan states that the new variant of coronavirus discovered in South Africa is spreading faster than the old virus and this new variant of covid is spreading all over the world.
The government has expressed concern that the virus could infect Pakistan as well, after which the country needs to speed up the vaccination process, while vaccinators are likely to be given booster shorts.
Omicron strain
The world is currently facing a new variant of the coronavirus, which was first identified in South Africa and the province of Gauteng in South Africa became the center of this new variant but now it is spreading all over the world. Several countries are imposing restrictions on travelers.
In this situation, the South African authorities are very frustrated and they are re-implementing measures such as wearing masks. The World Health Organization has dubbed the new version of the coronavirus ‘omicron’ and described it as a highly transmissible strain.
Symptoms
According to experts, the problem is that a total of 50 genetic mutations have been observed in the new species, compared to only 2 genetic mutations in the delta species of coronavirus, which recently took over the world. According to experts, this type of coronavirus is the most dangerous of all the species that have emerged so far.
After the discovery of the new strain in South Africa, doctors say that in the last 10 days, patients with unknown symptoms of corona have been diagnosed with unusually severe fatigue, with some patients experiencing muscle soreness, sore throat, and dryness. There were symptoms of cough and fever.
Spread of omicron virus
Two cases of the new coronavirus have been reported in Canada and three in the United Kingdom, and cases have been confirmed by the Health Security Agency in the UK, while masks have been banned in markets, public transport, and educational institutions. The victims were also found in Botswana, Hong Kong, and Israel.
The European Union (EU) says it needs two to three weeks for global pandemic vaccine companies to fully understand the ‘omicron’. Countries that are considered international travel hubs due to omicron have announced travel bans. The United States, Britain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Indonesia, Angola, and Morocco are among the countries that have imposed travel bans.
WHO warning
The World Health Organization (WHO) says ‘omicron’ is more dangerous than people who have been infected with the corona virus before. The new variant may also catch them, but some experts are hopeful that the vaccine will be somewhat effective in preventing this serious disease and death.
According to doctors, so far the situation has improved and the number of patients in hospitals has not increased, but experts have warned that in the first stage of infection, young people are more affected but if this variant affects the elderly and unvaccinated people. So the situation could get worse.
Threat to Pakistan
Asad Umar, head of the National Command and Operations Center in this regard said that the new corona variant is very dangerous, two to three weeks is crucial. Pakistan is taking steps to control the new corona variant.
Dr. Faisal Sultan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, said that the new variant of coronavirus is spreading faster than the old virus. Vaccine delays are affecting the world, we have vaccinated millions, but millions of people still need to be vaccinated, he said.
In this regard, Parliamentary Health Secretary Noshin Hamid said that due to corona’s new variant ‘omicron ‘, the decision on sanctions would be taken only after full information.
