KARACHI: (Hannan Ali Narejo) The COVID-19 positivity ratio in the metropolis has reached 23% due to the presence of the Delta variant, citing data released by Karachi University’s International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS). According to the report, out of 90 samples tested at the ICCBS labs on July 14, the Delta variant was detected in 83 of them. Health experts say that if the cases continue to increase, the death toll in the country is also likely to get higher. Health authorities say that owing to the Delta variant, the number of coronavirus cases in Karachi is rapidly increasing, so much so that hospitals are on the verge of reaching capacity. Several hospitals in Karachi, including the Civil Hospital, had to postpone scheduled operations due to the growing number of coronavirus patients being admitted there, the report said, adding that at present, the COVID-19 positivity ratio in Karachi has reached 23%. Last week, the ICCBS had revealed that out of 2,062 samples tested at the institution’s lab, 163 turned out to be COVID-19 positive, out of which 65 carried the Delta variant. Considering the highly contagious nature of the variant, the Sindh Health Department has advised everyone to restrict their movements unless absolutely necessary. The provincial government has also urged the masses to strictly adhering to the coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs) in order to contain the spread of the virus.
