More than 3,000 new cases of coronavirus were reported in Pakistan on Wednesday as the pandemic entered its third year. The ‘pandemic fatigue’ has led many in the country to exercise fewer precautions during the cool winter months.
“It seems that people have been facing pandemic fatigue due to which they are not ready to sacrifice their wishes [or] desires rather they are willing to put their lives at stake. Wedding halls remain full and no one, including the bride and groom, wears a mask,” remarked Dr. Javed Akram, a member of the Scientific Task Force on Covid-19.
According to data from the National Command Operation Centre (NCOC), the national positivity rate has increased to 6.23 per cent after 3,012 new cases were reported on Thursday. The reports indicate a 50 per cent increase in the number of cases from just a day prior, when 2,000 new cases were reported. This is the first time in five months that cases have exceed 3,000 per day.
Speaking on behalf of the Scientific Task Force, Dr. Javed urged people to continue to wear masks and for those with preexisting conditions, including high sugar or blood pressure levels, to take extreme precaution.
“[People with co-morbidities] should not go out in extreme weather such as early morning and late night. They should ensure that their drivers, watchmen, cooks and maids are vaccinated because they can become carriers of the virus,” Dr Akram recommended. He cited Vitamin D as an effective measure to improve immunity.
The doctor forewarned that cases will continue to rise, as the Omicron mutation is between 10 to 12 times more transmissible than previous strains. He also warned of ‘Deltacron’, a mutation of both the Delta and Omicron variants, which has been reported in Cyprus.
