ISLAMABAD : A total of 531 new coronavirus cases and fifteen associated deaths were reported across the country over the last 24 hours, taking the national tally of infections to 285,191 and fatalities to 6,112.

According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), as many as 18,227 samples were tested for Covid-19 during the previous 24 hours, out of which 531 turned out to be positive.

Of the total Covid-19 patients, 261,246 have recuperated from the disease so far as the number of active cases stands at 17,883. Out of 1,859 ventilators earmarked for critically-ill patients, only 143 are in use.

It is noteworthy that all restaurants, hotels, gyms, theatres, cinemas, beauty parlors, and other businesses across the country reopened on Aug 10 after five months as the government lifted almost all Covid-19 restrictions.

All business activities resumed across the country with strict enforcement of SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures). Business hours and weekly holidays were reverted back to pre-Covid-19 practice.