The severity of Covid-19's fifth wave continued in the country with Pakistan recording more than 10 per cent positivity rate for the sixth consecutive day. The number of virus patients on critical care reached 1,200 mark, according to the National Command and Operation Centre data.

Last time, Pakistan reported 9.48 per cent positivity rate on January 18.

At least 6,357 new infections reported across the country with 12.81 per cent positivity ratio during the last 24 hours.

With 17 new deaths across the country during the last 24 hours, the total fatalities have reached to 29,122 mark since the pandemic hit Pakistan in 2020.

Punjab witnessed the highest number of Covid-19 cases on Jan 23 which stood at 2,108 infections in comparison with the previous data of the province. However, the cases went down during the last 24 hours with 1,733 people tested positive for the virus, while Sindh topped new infections with 2,022 cases, as per the NCOC data.

According to the health experts, Pakistan might face Covid-19's peak in the first and second week of February. The rapidly increasing cases of Omicron variant of the virus led the officials to ponder over more curbs across the country.

"More restrictions are expected this week to control this situation," officials are quoted saying in a Geo report.