KARACHI-Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) is very much concerned over the gravely increasing positivity ratio of COVID-19 due to the Omicron virus throughout the country, and especially the situation in Karachi is worrisome where this ratio has gone to 40 per cent.
In his statement, Dr S.M Qaisar Sajjad, Honorary Secretary General, Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), said this percentage shows the number of registered cases only. In contrast, we expect that positive cases are far more, including the unregistered case.
“The symptoms of the disease are flu, throat pain, high-grade fever, body ache especially severe pain in legs and loss of appetite. Although the severity of the disease and symptoms due to Omicron are mild to moderate, and the symptoms could last within five to six days, it could lead to severe illness,” he added.
He said PMA worried that Omicron might change its behaviour and become fatal and severe. The presence of the delta virus is another threat because these two viruses could mutate into another fatal variant. The following two to three weeks could be hazardous, so we all have to be very careful because the case could increase multiple times.
He said the COVID situation in the country is worsening. We suggest government immediately take appropriate steps to prevent COVID-19. Government should at once strictly implement SOPs. Events with large gatherings like musical concerts, public political meetings and sit-ins should be prohibited. Marriage functions should be limited to 200 guests only with strict SOPs. Vaccination cards should be checked at restaurants, marriage halls, shopping malls, cinema halls, amusement parks and other places. Government should find and punish those people who do not follow SOPs.
