Covid rise: PM orders reopening of National Command and Operation Center

Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the immediate restoration of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) after Pakistan reports its first case of the Covid Omicron sub-variant. The NCOC was disbanded in March after covid cases were on the decline.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s House, the premier took notice of the new variant of Omicron and its growing cases. “He has also sought a report from the National Institute of Health (NIH) over the current Covid-19 situation,” it said.

Pakistan detected its first case of Omicron sub-variant on Tuesday.

“NIH has detected the first case of Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1. This new sub-variant is causing an increasing number of cases in different countries.” NIC also advised citizens to take preventive measures.

NCOC, which was tackling Covid-19 in Pakistan, was shut down on March 31.

On March 16, NCOC decided to lift all the Covid-19 related restrictions amid the decline in cases.