ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday issued instructions to revive the National Command and Operations Center (NCOC) keeping in view the emergence of a new variant of the Omicron virus.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) on Monday reported the first case of the Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1 of COVID-19 in Pakistan and strongly recommended people wear masks and complete their vaccination.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, taking note of the growing number of cases of a new variant of Omicron virus, has summoned a report from the Ministry of National Health on the current situation.

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Meanwhile, Pakistan reported 31 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, the country’s ministry of health said on Tuesday.

The tally of infected people increased to 1,528,831 after adding the new cases, according to the data released by the ministry.

A total of 30,375 people died from COVID-19 in Pakistan, with no more deaths recorded on Monday, according to the ministry’s statistics.

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On Monday, 10,869 tests for COVID-19 were conducted in Pakistan while the positivity rate stood at 0.28 per cent.

Currently, there are 103 active cases who are in critical condition in the country.