ISLAMABAD: Prof Dr Javed Akram, a prominent public health expert and member of the Scientific Task Force on COVID-19, recently stated that the sudden decrease in coronavirus cases in the country was caused by factors such as short-term immunity.
While speaking to the media, Dr Javed Akram, Vice-Chancellor, University of Health Sciences, Pakistan's national positivity ratio, declined. He said that when a large population is exposed to a pandemic, human bodies try to build short-term antibodies against the disease, also known as sub-clinical disease or asymptomatic disease. It means that people may become infected but exhibit few or no symptoms. It's also known as Exposure Induced Immunity, and it causes disease or cases to drop suddenly in society, he explained.
According to Dr Javed Akram, other factors behind the decline in new infections included the ban on large gatherings and the implementation of the COVID-19 protocols.
While emphasising the need for booster shots, Dr Akram said people should remember that the disease has been reduced but not eradicated. They should strictly follow standard operating procedures because the virus can resurface.
According to Dr Akram, 'Stealth Omicron (BA.2)' has been reported in Norway and Sweden.
"We don't know how infectious and transmissible the new sub-variant is, but keep in mind that the world is a global village, and every variant has spread worldwide. There is a strong possibility that new variants will emerge in the future," he said.
In Pakistan, however, the population seems to have developed a short-term immunity to COVID-19 as daily cases began to fall in the first week of February.