• A man taking a PCR test at the centre in Mina Rashed. Pawan Singh / The National
    A man taking a PCR test at the centre in Mina Rashed. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Long queues at VPS Healthcare testing centre. Pawan Singh / The National
    Long queues at VPS Healthcare testing centre. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Cars queue up at the MenaLabs Covid-19 drive-through testing centre. There has been a huge increase in the number of people getting tested for the coronavirus as schools opened for the second term and new weekly testing rules for government employees in Abu Dhabi came into force. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Cars queue up at the MenaLabs Covid-19 drive-through testing centre. There has been a huge increase in the number of people getting tested for the coronavirus as schools opened for the second term and new weekly testing rules for government employees in Abu Dhabi came into force. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Many people are also getting tested before travelling overseas. A negative test prior to departure is required for most destinations. Pawan Singh / The National
    Many people are also getting tested before travelling overseas. A negative test prior to departure is required for most destinations. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The average waiting time was two hours at the MenaLabs Covid-19 drive-through testing centre on Monday. Antonie Robertson / The National
    The average waiting time was two hours at the MenaLabs Covid-19 drive-through testing centre on Monday. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Some testing centres reported a huge rush and that demand for PCR tests had trebled in recent days. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Some testing centres reported a huge rush and that demand for PCR tests had trebled in recent days. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Long queues at testing centres and clinics in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Long queues at testing centres and clinics in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • To enter Abu Dhabi, vaccinated people must show Al Hosn green pass and those who are not must present a negative PCR test taken less than 96 hours prior to crossing the border. Antonie Robertson / The National
    To enter Abu Dhabi, vaccinated people must show Al Hosn green pass and those who are not must present a negative PCR test taken less than 96 hours prior to crossing the border. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Queues at the Seha Covid-19 drive-through testing centre at Mina Rashed in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Queues at the Seha Covid-19 drive-through testing centre at Mina Rashed in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Queues outside Parkview Hospital Covid-19 testing facility in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Queues outside Parkview Hospital Covid-19 testing facility in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Rapid tests are becoming more popular for those needing a quick turnaround to travel or attend events that require proof of negative status. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Rapid tests are becoming more popular for those needing a quick turnaround to travel or attend events that require proof of negative status. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Covid-19 case numbers in the UAE rose steadily through December as Omicron infections surged globally. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Covid-19 case numbers in the UAE rose steadily through December as Omicron infections surged globally. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Coronavirus: UAE reports 2,687 new cases from 405,418 tests


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Omicron live updates

The UAE reported 2,687 new coronavirus cases and no deaths on Thursday.

The daily caseload pushed the total number of infections to 777,584, with a total death toll of 2,170.

Health officials said another 902 people recovered in the 24-hour reporting period, pushing overall recoveries to 750,156.

The latest cases were identified from 405,418 PCR tests. Nearly 114 million tests have been conducted since the pandemic began.

Demand for PCR tests has gone up in the past week because of intensified testing requirements and a rising number of cases.

On Wednesday, Abu Dhabi government announced that all its employees must be vaccinated and have received a coronavirus booster shot to enter the workplace from January 10.

The requirement is in addition to the free PCR test public sector workers must have every seven days. Exemptions remain for those who cannot have the vaccine for medical reasons.

On Saturday, the UAE banned unvaccinated citizens from travelling abroad from January 10.

Infection rates have risen sharply in recent weeks and daily cases have remained above 2,000 since December 29. The figure was 48 cases on December 6.

As of Wednesday, 22,750,991 vaccine doses have been administered and 92.31 per cent of the population fully inoculated.

WIDE%20VIEW
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

Sun jukebox

Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)

This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.

Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)

The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.

Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)

Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.

Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)

Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.

Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)

An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.

Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)

Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

MATCH INFO

What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany

Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)

How to avoid crypto fraud
  • Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
  • Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
  • Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
  • Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
  • Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
  • Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
  • Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Our legal advisor

Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.

Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation. 

Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.

Updated: January 06, 2022, 11:00 AM