UAE records 665 new Covid-19 cases as testing is stepped up

Close to 400,000 PCR tests were conducted during latest 24-hour reporting period

People get tested for coronavirus at the Mina Rashid screening centre in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, health authorities have called upon citizens and residents to join with the efforts of health care professionals. Health workers, such as these Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, have led the way. Reem Mohammed / The National

Healthcare workers at the emergency ward in Sheikh Khalifa Medical City. The President, Sheikh Khalifa, has paid tribute to the frontline workers who helped to curb Covid-19. Reem Mohammed / The National

Healthcare workers at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City receive a patient outside the emergency department. Reem Mohammed / The National

A consultant physician at the emergency department in Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, receives a Covid-19 patient. Reem Mohammed / The National

People get the laser blood test tests at the Mina Rashid screening centre in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A nurse sanitises her hands after conducting a swab test at one of the UAE's screening drive-through centres in Mina Rashid, Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

A health worker taking the Covid-19 nasal swab test at a testing station in thet Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Nurse Renu Venugopal, who contracted Covid-19, recovered and continued to treat patients at Al Zahra Hospital, Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ruth Deva Kiruba says being pregnant during a pandemic was surreal and sometimes lonely. Chris Whiteoak / The National

EMT nurse Jephy Antony, who contracted Covid-19, recovered and continued to treat patients at the NMC Royal Hospital, DIP, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A visitor gets tested at the Ras Al Khaimah Covid-19 drive-through testing centre. Reem Mohammed / The National

Nurse Nikhil Rajendran inside the fever clinic at the Bareen International Hospital in Mohamed Bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

Shane Simeon Galang from Philippines, Mervat Aslan Mhgoub Mohamed from Egypt and Sowmya Kotian from India, who are nurses at the Bareen International Hospital in Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

The UAE recorded 665 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, its largest daily number in more than three months.

The latest caseload took the overall tally of infections to 745,555.

Another 294 people beat the virus as the number of recoveries climbed to 739,277.

The number of daily infections is the highest since September 11, when 725 positive tests were recorded.

The latest cases were identified as a result of an additional 398,972 PCR tests.

Daily testing approached 400,000 for the second day running as the UAE intensifies its efforts to slow the spread of the virus.

More than 107.7 million tests have been conducted to date.

No deaths were reported, with the toll remaining at 2,154.

The government has urged the public to take “social responsibility” this holiday season amid a significant rise in Covid-19 cases.

Officials asked people to wear masks, follow social distancing rules and exercise caution at social occasions, but set out no further restrictions during the televised briefing on Tuesday evening.

Daily case numbers have risen sharply this month, after only 48 positive tests were recorded on December 6.

The recent increase halted a steady decline in cases throughout the second half of the year, which peaked at close to 4,000 in February.

“We call upon members of society to co-operate and adhere to preventive measures by committing to wearing masks, staying away from crowded places and maintaining personal hygiene,” said Dr Noura Al Ghaithi, official spokeswoman for the health sector, during a televised briefing on Tuesday.

“Society’s health is a priority and is everyone’s collective responsibility.

“It’s a social responsibility to preserve the gains that the country has made towards sustainable recovery.”