Resurging coronavirus

While the world continues to grapple with the surge of the Omicron BF.7 variant, a new, more potent XBB.1.5 has emerged, raising concerns among health professionals who are calling it the “next big thing” due to its capacity to infect those who have been vaccinated. This threat has now entered Pakistan, with Karachi reporting 6 cases of this supposedly deadly sub-variant – taking the total tally of Omicron cases to 29. The Prime Minister has responded aptly to this by directing the authorities concerned to ensure the vaccination of children aged 5-12 years on an urgent basis, but this alone will not be enough to curtail the threat.

A high-level meeting must come together to discuss a possible seventh wave of the deadly virus in the country. The response must be comprehensive and executed in different phases to make sure that damage is minimised, without risking much economically. Initially, testing and identification must be ramped up across the country to ascertain the true severity of the situation. Then, citizens affected with the sub-variant must be monitored to see how those with different vaccines are responding to it and what the best care measure is. The third phase must include procuring booster vaccines and initiating a drive for elderly people and children. If the spread rate starts increasing rapidly, the government must then be prepared to initiate regulations and possible area-wise lockdowns. If the situation keeps persisting, hospitals must be notified to remain vigilant and medical resources be distributed accordingly.

Even though local medical experts believe that people in Pakistan have developed a high immunity towards Covid-19 variants, the government cannot take a chance and risk lives. Precautions are always necessary and it is better to be safe than to reel from yet another disastrous wave.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2023.

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