The government of Karachi is likely to take stern measures in the metropolis to curb the fast spread of the Delta variant, which now accounts for 92% of the infection cases, with the positivity ratio exceeding 23%.
An official of the Sindh Health Department told that to contain the spread of the coronavirus in Karachi, some strict measures can be decided by the provincial government during the next meeting of the Provincial Taskforce on COVID-19, which is scheduled to meet today.
“Without putting strong non-pharmaceutical interventions in place, Covid’s spread cannot be controlled,” he warned.
Delta variant growing across Karachi
On the other hand, virologists claimed that the Delta variant of the coronavirus now accounts for 92% of the new cases in Karachi and is the leading cause of the increasing number of positivity and hospitalization in the city.
“Our experts at the National Institute of Virology at the University of Karachi analysed 90 Covid samples on July 14 and 15, and of them, 83 or over 92%, were of the Delta variant. This is an extremely alarming situation,” said the director of KU’s International Centre for Chemical & Biological Sciences.
He said that since the Delta variant is highly transmissible and infects a large number of people, more people will require hospitalisation, and the pressure on health care facilities will increase further.
Delta Variant Casts Shadow Over Pakistan, Dr Faisal
Earlier, Special Health Assistant Dr Faisal Sultan had warned that a new and dangerous type of coronavirus, the Delta (Indian) variant, is emerging in the country following the fourth wave.
He had said that in view of the increasing number of coronavirus cases in the country, it is important to follow SOPs to avoid other strains, including Delta.
Dr Faisal pointed out the possibility of imposing smart lockdown and said that there would be a need to restrict movement.
He further said that only those who have completed vaccination should visit tourist areas.
Dr Faisal had said that the NCOC and the Ministry of Health also have a position to avoid tourism with incomplete vaccinations.
He said the restrictions would be strictly enforced during the Eid holidays.
Dr Faisal Sultan dismissed concerns about the shortage of vaccines, saying, “We have an abundance of vaccines.”
“Apart from the use of masks and SOPs, vaccination is important which should not be ignored under any circumstances as cases are on the rise and we will re-impose smart lockdown,” he said.
