At least 988 patients were reported to be on critical care over the last 24 hours, the lowest daily statistics since January 21, according to the National Command and Operation Centre data released on Tuesday.

“Statistics 1 Mar 22: total tests in last 24 hours: 37,566; positive cases: 861; positivity %: 2.29%; deaths: 18; patients on critical care: 988,” the NCOC said in a tweet.

Despite the seeming downward slide in numbers, medical experts and the World Health Organization have exhorted people to follow the standard operating procedures in order to stem the spread of the virus. Moreover, they have also called for wearing masks even if the people have been vaccinated.

On January 21, the NCOC reported that 961 patients were reported to be in critical care over the last 24 hours. On that day, Covid positivity rate stood at 12.93%.

The forum, which serves as the nerve centre of the country’s unified efforts to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, also released the countrywide Covid tally. According to the data, Sindh reported the highest number of Covid cases, with 568,277 infected patients, followed by Punjab (501,544), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (216,174), Islamabad (134,404), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (42,978), Balochistan (35,345), and Gilgit Baltistan (11,499).

The government has also been running an awareness campaign on social media to convince people to get vaccinated and clear any misconceptions related to the vaccines. "The Covid-19 vaccine is completely safe for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. If you or a loved one has not yet been vaccinated, please visit your nearest Covid vaccination centre with your CNIC and get vaccinated," the health ministry said in a tweet.

The Economic Coordination Committee on Friday approved Rs450 million worth of technical supplementary grants for a health ministry project designed for “effective response” against the Covid-19 pandemic in Pakistan.

The project titled ‘Strengthening existing capacity for National Institute of Health for effective response against Covid-19 pandemic in Pakistan’ was part of a summary moved by the health ministry during the ECC meeting, which was presided over by Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin.

The ministry had sought to re-purpose the Australian grant towards the preparedness and response plan for Covid-19 for its effective utilisation.

Moreover, the opposition in the past had raised concerns over the Covid-19 funds and demanded of the government to allocate a significant budget for the health sector in fighting the pandemic.