Delta variant rapidly spreading in Pakistan, warns Asad Umar

ISLAMABAD (92 News/APP) - Federal Planning Minister Asad Umar has warned that the Delta variant is rapidly spreading in Pakistan and the South Asian region.

Speaking to the journalists along with Special Health Assistant Faisal Sultan, NCOC head Asad Umar said that the Indian type Delta of Corona is spreading very fast. "Now there are growing fears of its spread in Pakistan." He warned that those who have not been vaccinated should not visit tourist places during the Eid holidays.

He mentioned that the people with both doses of vaccine against COVID have seven times lower risk of getting virus compared to those who were not vaccinated.

"Even the people with first dose have four times lower risk of the disease compared to those without vaccine. The people to get vaccinated against the pandemic, this was the only way to get rid of the disease."

Showing results of research work on the vaccination process in Pakistan, the minister pointed out that from February 03, 2021-when the vaccination started, to July 01, some 17.7 million received the vaccines out of which 6.2 million people had received both jabs.

During the period, he said 490,000 cases of COVID-19 were reported which counts for 0.3 percent of the whole adult population (18 years and above) that is around 125 million in the country.

He said 0.08 percent or 9,917 cases were reported among those who received first dose, whereas 0.04 percent or 5500 people with complete vaccination were infected with the virus. The Indian variant, he said had worst impact on the whole region but the good news was that if you got vaccinated, the risk would minimize.

The world has praised Pakistan’s strategy to cope with the pandemic, therefore in order to maintain this positive image, all Pakistanis are urged to get vaccinated and follow SOPs against the pandemic especially during Eid holidays.