ISLAMABAD : The number of COVID-19 cases continues to come down as Pakistan has recorded only 689 new cases of the pandemic over the past 24 hours, according to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).

The nerve centre of the country’s COVID-19 response said 18 more people succumbed to the viral disease during this period, lifting the death toll to 28,152.

A total of 42,476 samples were tested, out of which 689 turned out to be positive for the virus, taking the nationwide tally of confirmed cases to 1,259,648. The infection rate was recorded at 1.62 per cent as compared to yesterday’s 2.31%.

There are a total 2,280 critical patients in hospitals across the country, the NCOC said, adding that overall 1,189,742 people have regained their health from the COVID-19.

Meanwhile, schools across the country have resumed regular classes from yesterday, days after the NCOC allowed vaccination for people aged upto 12 years.

The decision was taken by the NCOC after decline of the COVID-19 cases across the country.

The educational institutions were earlier operating on 50 per cent capacity after they reopened following intermittent closures due to the prevalence of COVID-19.