KARACHI: The Agha Khan University Hospital (AKUH) Monday confirmed it had detected Pakistan’s first-ever case of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus in a patient through gene-sequencing.
“Gene sequencing at AKUH has confirmed the presence of the COVID-19 Omicron variant in the first patient,” reads the statement from the AKUH. “The patient is at home and doing well. So far, no other patients with COVID-19 Omicron have been identified at AKUH,” it added.
On December 9, Pakistan reported its first suspected case of the variant. However, Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho had clarified that a genomic study would confirm whether it is the Omicron variant of the virus or not.
“A genomic study is being conducted which will confirm the exact variant but for now getting both doses of the vaccine is the best precaution,” she had said in a video statement issued by the provincial health ministry.
