Meeting reviews steps to be taken against Omicron sub-variant

A meeting was held at the EOC Karachi to review the steps that need to be taken in the wake of the new Omicron sub-variant, called BA.2.12.1.

The meeting was attended by Sindh Health Secretary, Zulfiqar Shah, DG Health, Dr. Juman Bahoto and other officials dealing with measures related to Covid.

The public and health care professionals in Sindh are advised to focus on Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI) again.

NPIs are actions that the community and medical professionals can emphasise on such as getting vaccinated, wearing surgical masks, not attending crowded events unless absolutely needed and limiting physical contact with others when outside.

Sindh has seen vaccine coverage of over 90 per cent of the eligible population. That means that two doses have been administered to the large number of people. However, the meeting today was informed that there must be more emphasis on booster doses now so as to provide the community with added protection, in light of the new omicron variant.

It was also advised to increase testing again of those who show Covid or Covid like symptoms and also to closely follow contact tracing so that the virus does not have a chance to spread.

Although there are few hospital admissions that are related to Covid, the community and health care professionals must stay vigilant. The meeting was informed that there would be reactivation of sentinel sites that treat, test and isolate those with Covid.

Lastly, healthcare professionals must be provided refresher training on rapid response team (RRT) composition, structure, and deployment roles and skills for Covid-19 response.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2022.