Rise of Omicron

Omicron cases in Pakistan are now being reported thick and fast. The cases of the new Covid variant now total well into a couple of hundreds, taking the overall rate of infection past 2% for the first time in so many days. An overwhelming percentage of the Omicron cases have come through local transmission. Considering that this new corona variant is more contagious than others, there are fears of these numbers rising exponentially in the near term. Therefore, a fifth wave of Covid-19 is imminent in Pakistan, which might mark the ascension of the Omicron variant. Experts claim that in the coming months, Omicron will become the dominant global variant since the virus is fitter and reproduces easily.

Even though WHO claims that Omicron may be milder and less deadly than other variants, not everyone is safe. It could potentially prove to be fatal to those that have a weak immune system. We cannot wait for casualties to occur and cases to rise before reasserting preventive measures. The NIH and FAFEN have, in their reports, warned that the rise of Omicron through another deadly wave will put additional stress on an overworked and fragile healthcare sector that has also to deal with malaria, dengue and a host of other outbreaks.

The current situation does not sit well with this foreshadowed crisis. Misinformation and rumours are spreading like wildfire, people have forgotten about SOPs, mass gatherings continue unabated, and the vaccination rate seems to have dwindled. There is no denying the fact that vaccination and SOPs continue to be our best defence against Covid-19. And considering that it is the wedding season, rising cases must be strictly monitored. There should have already been a cap at the maximum number of people allowed for a wedding but unfortunately the government wasn’t prudent enough.

We must learn from countries where Omicron has already become the dominant strain and use their measures and practices to devise our own plan for the new year. Now that new variants are in the offing, there is a necessity to draw up preventive programmes with backup solutions based on the changing attributes of the virus. The overarching aim should be to prevent a crisis we cannot afford.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2^nd, 2022.

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