Many analysts wonder if the rise has to do with the eases made in restrictions recently, like allowing restaurants to start indoor dining or allowing business to operate provided staff is vaccinated, for example.

NCOC tweeted the figures on Wednesday morning.

According to NCOC, 1,517 people tested positive for the novel virus after the country conducted 46,287 tests during the last 24 hours.

17 people died in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 22,469. The total number of recoveries jumped to 909,525.

The national Covid-19 tally stands at 966,007. There are 34,013 active and 1,941 critical cases in the country.

Although the government has eased restrictions, head of NCOC Asad Umar had warned in June of a possible fourth wave if SOPs are not strictly followed.