Officials at the Ministry of Public Health of Afghanistan said they are very concerned about the increase in known cases of the latest variant of Covid-19, Omicron. Reports of Omicron have increased in the past 24 hours, with 629 positive cases of Omicron being recorded in 17 provinces of the country.

“In 17 provinces, 629 positive cases were recorded, the most affected areas being Nangarhar, where we had 127 positive cases, in Kabul we had 102 positive cases, and then Ghazni, Panjshir, Paktia and in other provinces,” said Javid Hajir, spokesman for the Ministry of Health.

“Unfortunately, after the takeover of the Islamic Emirate, aid was cut off to Afghanistan, which has caused challenges in this project,” said Abdulbari Omar, deputy health minister.

Meanwhile, the head of the physicians at the Afghan-Japan hospital said that the new version of the coronavirus is rapidly spreading, while the hospital still does not have Omicron testing kits.

“We do not have Omicron diagnostic kits, but in general we have diagnostic kits for other types of the coronavirus,” said Zalmai Reshtin, head of the physicians at the Afghan-Japan.

“Cases are increasing day by day. If we do not have the right financial sponsors, we may not be able to provide the services we need to,” said Hashmat Faizi, in charge of the Afghan-Japan Intensive Care Unit.

In the meantime, the Qamar Charity Foundation today in Kabul donated medical kits, including 120 oxygen balloons, to the Afghan-Japan hospital.

“We are at the Afghan-Japanese hospital today. We donated 120 cylinders with oxygen and 15,000 masks to this hospital,” said Rahmatullah Naw Rooz, head of the foundation.

Citizens of the country are worried about the reemergence of COVID-19 in the country.

“Coronavirus has spread, it has become more severe than before, I ask our compatriots to take the virus seriously,” said Sharif, a resident of Kabul.

The Afghan-Japan Hospital is the only hospital for the treatment of COVID-19 patients in the capital and the end of the hospital's sponsorship contract with Ji Paigo Health is very concerning to officials of the hospital.

According to the officials of this hospital, if they do not cooperate with this hospital, they will face serious challenges in combatting Covid-19 in Afghanistan.