ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical Association warned on Wednesday that a fifth wave of the coronavirus could hit the country by the end of January as new cases of the fast-spreading omicron variant are reported in different cities across the nation.

The strain was first detected in southern Africa and Hong Kong in November, with the first known case in Pakistan identified this month in a woman who had no travel history outside the country. This week, the National Institute of Health (NIH) announced that a total of 75 omicron cases had so far been confirmed in the country.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called the omicron variant “very high" risk as the number of daily infections surge across the globe. Many countries including Europe have been struggling to find a balance between imposing new anti-virus restrictions and keeping the economies and society open amid a surge in the daily caseload.

“It is evident now that the omicron variant is spreading across Pakistan while relevant authorities and public remain complacent. This may result in the fifth COVID-19 wave by the end of January,” Dr Qaisar Sajjad, secretary-general of the Pakistan Medical Association, told Arab News on Wednesday.

He called on the federal government and provincial authorities to enhance vigilance to curb the surge in infections by enforcing health guidelines at public places like restaurants, parks and shopping malls.

Sajjad said the government should also expedite the administration of booster shots to the eligible population.

“Omicron isn't going to be the last variant that has hit Pakistan,” he said. “New variants will keep coming until over eighty percent of the world's population is fully vaccinated.”

Pakistan had fully vaccinated 68.5 million people till Wednesday and administered a total of 153.5 million doses so far.

The country reported 348 positive coronavirus cases and 6 deaths in the last 24 hours. A total of 636 people are said to be in critical care across the country.

Dr Khalid Mahmood, a public health expert at the Rawalpindi Institute of Urology, said a suspected patient of omicron had been admitted to the hospital with mild symptoms.

“People should follow health guidelines like wearing masks and ensure social distancing in public places to stop the recent surge,” he told Arab News, adding that Pakistan was at the risk of more omicron cases from international travelers, and screening of passengers at airports needed to be enhanced:

“Vaccination against the virus and precautionary measures are the sole tools that can help us deflect the catastrophe.”