
Pakistan detects first case of Omicron sub-variant
Islamabad: Pakistan has detected its first case of Omicron sub-variant, the National Institute of Health, Islamabad confirmed on Monday.
It tweeted: "NIH has detected the first case of Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1. This new sub-variant is causing an increasing number of cases in different countries."
NIH has detected the first case of Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1. This new sub-variant is causing increasing number of cases in different countries.
— NIH Pakistan (@NIH_Pakistan) May 9, 2022
NIH asked people to get vaccinated and take booster shots.
" The best preventive measure (besides mask-wearing at crowded places) is COVID-19 vaccination. We strongly recommended getting vaccinated and all those due for boosters must get the shots immediately," read the tweet.
Director General Health Dr Rana Muhammad Safdar told Geo.tv that the Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1 was detected in a traveller who had returned from Qatar.
He added that this sub-variant is seen in the recent spike in cases in the US.
He said: "The disease severity and hospitalisation remain the same as Omicron but data is limited as of now."