THE new year approaches on a grim note. Covid-19 numbers are skyrocketing globally, with close to an unprecedented 900,000 cases detected daily on average between Dec 22-28. Several countries, including the US, Australia and multiple European nations have recorded all-time high numbers as the Omicron variant spreads like wild fire across the world, putting a damper on traditional end-of-year festivities and hopes of an economic revival. While studies suggest that Omicron presents with milder symptoms than earlier variants even though it is far more transmissible, unvaccinated individuals are at higher risk of serious infection. Hospitals are filling up fast with those who have been unable to or chosen not to get the jab. Even in the case of mild Covid-19 infections, a precipitous increase in numbers strains health systems by overburdening laboratories, pharmacies, medical staff, etc. Then there are knock-on effects, such as small businesses struggling to stay afloat despite loss of employees who have contracted the infection or been ordered to quarantine.

Last year around this time, the roll-out of vaccines against Covid-19 had been a harbinger of hope that the world would finally be able to put this deadly chapter behind it. While Omicron and the astonishing speed with which it is spreading has proved that to be a false dawn, we are nevertheless far better equipped than we were to stave off the infection and prevent the mass fatalities that occurred in many parts of the globe in 2020. Countries are once again putting in place measures such as limiting social gatherings, closing down venues where crowds gather including cinemas, concert halls, etc. In terms of the Omicron variant, Asia has been a comparative latecomer to the ‘party’; strict quarantine rules for incoming travellers and compliance with instructions to wear masks have helped keep the numbers low in places like Japan, South Korea and Thailand.

Even before Pakistan’s first case of Omicron was confirmed on Dec 13, Federal Planning Minister Asad Umar had warned that the new variant’s arrival in the country was inevitable. He did, however, add that we could “reduce its effects by adopting preventive measures” and urged everyone to get themselves vaccinated. According to the National Command and Operation Centre, 30pc of Pakistan’s total population and 46pc of its eligible population is fully vaccinated. Nevertheless, tough times lie ahead if the current trend continues. The number of confirmed Omicron infections had gone up to 79 by Tuesday. Equally worryingly, on Dec 29, Pakistan detected 482 new Covid-19 cases: it was the first time in nearly four weeks that the tally had exceeded 400. While public messaging about preventive measures has increased, anecdotal evidence suggests that airport protocols have become fairly lax, particularly when several flights arrive within a short span of time. With WHO warning of a Covid ‘tsunami’, we cannot allow any flank to be exposed.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2021