It was only a matter of time that the latest Omicron sub-variant BF-7 would enter our border with the first case being detected in a 49-year-old male patient. This variant has caused much havoc in China and even in the US, it is estimated to account for 5.7% infections last year. BF-7 is threatening due to its high infectivity rate, shorter incubation period and immune-evasive characteristics. The health department report indicates that five new cases were detected over the past two days.
This situation is alarming and calls for ramping up monitoring systems to ascertain how much the virus has spread since people have stopped taking Covid-19 tests. Moreover, the winter season has brought with it the flu and other viral infections. Since symptoms are similar, people may easily mistake one for the other and take the wrong medication. To avoid this, an awareness campaign must be initiated on television and social media to urge citizens who are showing symptoms to get tested at the earliest. It would also be prudent to start a booster vaccination campaign for senior citizens and vulnerable groups before cases see a sharp rise. It is expected that the government has a regulation system in place to fight the emergence of more Covid-19 waves in the future. Ideally, such a system should entail different phases that are initiated at different situations so that a complete lockdown remains the last resort.
The precarious economic situation of the country should prompt officials to monitor the situation directly and take early action if cases start to surge. The country cannot afford slow down the economy even further for a situation that could have been prevented. Procuring booster vaccines and healthcare facilities should be on the contingency list.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 3rd, 2023.
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