The latest development has come after the government took stringent measures, including door to door vaccination programmes, to stem the spread of the virus in the country.

“Statistics 16 Feb 22: total tests in last 24 hours: 49,553; positive cases: 2,465; positivity %: 4.97%; deaths: 49; patients on critical care: 1,534,” the NCOC said in a tweet.

The last time Pakistan reported a 4.7% Covid positivity ratio was on January 11, after which cases began to rise exponentially, prompting the NCOC to impose new curbs to control the situation.

The countrywide tally showed that Sindh reported the highest number of cases, 560,670, followed by Punjab (496,724), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (212,078), Islamabad (133,388), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (42,180), Balochistan (35,133), and Gilgit Baltistan (11,250).

The NCOC, which serves as the centre of the country’s unified efforts to contain the spread of novel coronavirus, also reported vaccination data that shows an increased number of people were opting for the coronavirus vaccine.

“Vaccine statistics: vaccine administered across Pakistan in last 24 hours: 1,276,796. Total vaccine administered till now: 204,441,222,” it read.

However, the increase in Covid positivity ratio in major cities prompted NCOC, on Tuesday, to extend coronavirus-induced restrictions till February 21, in cities where the positivity ratio was still more than 10%.

According to a statement issued by the NCOC, “Curbs will remain in place in six cities where the positivity rate is more than 10 per cent that includes Gilgit, Muzaffarabad, Mardan, Karachi, Hyderabad, and Peshawar.”

The forum carried out a detailed stock of the disease situation and the non-pharmaceutical interventions currently being enforced.

“In view of improved disease trends, NPIs are being eased out for cities with less than 10 per cent positivity,” the statement read, adding that indoor and outdoor gatherings have been allowed in such cities (having Covid positivity ratio less than 10%) with a maximum limit of 300 and 500 fully vaccinated individuals. Similar rules have also been applied to weddings.

“Indoor and outdoor dining has been allowed for fully vaccinated individuals, while takeaway has been allowed around the clock. Gyms, cinemas, shrines and amusement parks will be open for fully vaccinated individuals. All forms of sports have also been allowed for fully jabbed citizens,” it read.

The statement further read that schools would remain open for all students with Covid protocols.