HPA currently focusing on living with Covid-19: Dr. Afzal

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) currently hopes to learn to live with the Covid-19 virus rather than strengthening measures amid the worsening situation.

This was revealed by Epidemiologist at HPA, Dr. Ibrahim Afzal during a press conference hosted on Sunday afternoon, where he revealed that the public health authorities are currently focusing on learning to live with coronavirus.

He cited findings and reports indicating that hospital admissions are noticeably low in Omicron cases, however, he noted that HPA is currently implementing additional preemptive and preparational measures, adding that although hospital admissions have been recorded lower in comparison to when the Delta outbreak surfaced, the figures will hike if cases continue to spiral.

Dr. Afzal went on to stress that the authorities need to work on reviving the country’s economy and keep the income flowing and continue living.

With this, he urged the public to strictly adhere to the safety guidelines currently in place and stated that there are a lot of backlog samples pending results currently.

He revealed that they will be revising guidelines and restrictions based on the weekly reviews on the situation surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic and measures will be taken in line with advice from foreign experts as well.

Going on to state that the best way to keep safe from the current surge is to get the booster shot against Covid-19, Dr. Afzal revealed that the people must pay special attention to uphold their individual responsibility and wear face masks, maintain social distancing and avoid gatherings.

When inquired if the authorities plan on imposing a lockdown across the capital, where the caseload is spiraling since New Years’, the doctor revealed that it is not included in the finalized measures and that a lockdown is however, not off the table.