Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar on Saturday alarmed the nation that the UK variant of coronavirus is much dangerous than the previous one.

He was addressing media after chairing a meeting at the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC). Umar said that hospitals are reaching their maximum capacity. He warned that government will have to take tough decisions if precautionary measures are not followed.

A press statement issued by NCOC said that the Punjab and KP chief ministers and ICT commissioner were invited to attend the session via video link.

Asad Umar further said that the new wave of Covid-19 is resulting in a sharp increase in cases in the entire region including Pakistan.

He mentioned that the number of critical patients has increased by over 1000 in the past five days.

Earlier this month, National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) in a meeting decided to increase restrictions of activities contributing to a sharp increase in Covid positivity.

In the NCOC meeting this morning we decided to increase restrictions of activities contributing to sharp increase in covid positivity. The provincial & ICT administration were also directed to tighten implementation of sop’s and crackdown on violations which are taking place.

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) March 22, 2021