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More than one million tests for Covid-19 have been conducted in the UAE since the coronavirus pandemic began, the Government announced on Saturday.

UAE authorities also confirmed 532 new Covid-19 cases, taking the country’s total to 9,813 cases. There were seven new deaths and 127 new recoveries. Around 20 per cent of all cases have now recovered, with 1887 recoveries in total. The number of active cases in the country is now approximately 7,850, meaning that less than one per cent of the coronavirus tests that have been conducted are positive.

Officials also announced the availability of an updated version of the AlHosn UAE app last night, which performs contract tracing and also helps provide easy access to test results. AlHosn UAE, or digital fortress, uses Bluetooth to communicate between devices, allowing authorities to quickly identify people who are at risk.  
Users need their Emirates ID and phone number to authenticate the app, which also allows individuals to receive medical test results directly to their device.
A QR code supplied by AlHosn UAE contains within it proof of an individual's health status. The app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play, allows authorities to quickly contact those who have come into close proximity of the disease so they can be retested.

Dr Alawi Ali, official spokesman for advanced sciences, said the UAE was currently conducting more than 58 studies to help understand the virus and how it spreads. He said samples have been taken from more than 240 local patients from a variety of age groups and during various stages of their recovery to understand how different strains of the virus determines their symptoms.

Local researchers and scientists are working to develop diagnostic tools and more effective ways to treat patients, to reduce strain on the country’s healthcare system.

Other studies include simulating transmission patterns and the psychological affect of the virus on society.

On Saturday, officials said that though some lockdown measures have been lifted partially for Ramadan, this does not mean life is fully back to normal and precautions must remain in place - specifically wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.

The warning came as the World Health Organisation cautioned countries against issuing “immunity passports” to people who have recovered from Covid-19, saying there is “no evidence” they are protected from a second infection.

The United Nations agency said “risk-free certificates” could actually increase the risks of continued spread.

“There is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from Covid-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection,” the WHO said.

In Iran, fears of a fresh outbreak coincided with the start of Ramadan as Muslim nations begin celebrating the holy month with social distancing measures in place.

Alireza Zali, the anti-coronavirus co-ordinator for Iran’s capital, said reducing restrictions on movement could "create new waves of sickness in Tehran and complicate efforts to bring the epidemic under control."

Iran has recorded 89,328 cases of Covid-19, including 1,134 over the past 24 hours.

Indonesia has taken a stricter stance, banning travel throughout Ramadan. Air, sea and passenger train services are on hold, meaning millions of people in the country with the world’s largest Muslim population, will be unable to visit relatives until restrictions are lifted in June.

Saturday marked a grim milestone in the UK as deaths from Covid-19 passed 20,000, six weeks after the country’s chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance said a toll under that number would be “a good outcome.”

Deaths from the virus reached 813 on Saturday, up from 684 the previous day.