Pakistan confirms first ‘Omicron variant’ case

Karachi: Days after a suspected case of ‘Omicron variant’ was detected in Karachi, the National Institute of Health Islamabad on Monday confirmed the first Omicron case through genome sequencing.

The 65-year-old woman who is suffering ‘Omicron variant’ has recovered her health and the COVID tests of 51 people, who interacted infected woman, are being conducted.

According to a statement of hospital spokesperson, the patient was isolated at home and doing well, adding that so far only one case of the variant has been detected in the country.

In a statement, the hospital also said that the ‘Omicron variant’ infected woman was not COVID vaccinated. 

The Omicron case was confirmed by the National Institue of Health in the federal capital.

“NIMS has been able to confirm that a recently suspected sample from Karachi is indeed the ‘Omicron variant’ of SARS-CoV2. This is the first confirmed case but continued surveillance of identified samples is in place to identify trends,” the NCOC tweeted. 

The National Institute of Health, Islamabad has been able to confirm that a recently suspected sample from Karachi is indeed the ‘Omicron variant’ of SARS-CoV2. This is the first confirmed case but continued surveillance of identified samples is in place to identify trends.

— NCOC (@OfficialNcoc) December 13, 2021

In another tweet, the NCOC urged people to vaccinate for protection against the serious effects of existing and new variants. “In wake of recent confirmation of Omicron in Pakistan, the importance of getting vaccinated to protect from serious effects of existing and new variants is further highlighted. Please get yourself completely vaccinated.”

In wake of recent confirmation of Omicron in Pakistan, the importance of getting vaccinated to protect from serious effects of existing and new variants is further highlighted. Please get yourself completely vaccinated.

— NCOC (@OfficialNcoc) December 13, 2021