UAE reports 2,902 Covid-19 cases as tests top 500,000 for first time

A further 1,285 people recovered from the virus and two people died in latest 24-hour reporting period

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  The Third Place Cafe on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi has a sticker to remind customers of Covid-19 precautions. Victor Besa / The National

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  An 'X' reminds people of the need for physical distancing at the Third Place Cafe. Victor Besa / The National

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  The Third Place Cafe in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  Sanitation workers at Haddins Fitness, Zayed Sports City. Victor Besa / The National

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  Places of worship, such as Shiva temple in Dubai, have been subject to restrictions during the pandemic. Reem Mohammed / The National

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  Fitness buff Natalie Navikova exercises at Cobra Fitness Abu Dhabi at Al Bandar. Victor Besa / The National

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  CrossFit class at Vogue Fitness Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  A worshipper at Shiva temple in Dubai follows safety precautions. Reem Mohammed / The National

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  The floor of the main prayer hall at the Gurunanak Darbar in Jebel Ali, Dubai, is covered with plastic sheets to help tackle the spread of Covid-19. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Safe distance marking stickers placed on the floor at Gurunanak Darbar in Jebel Ali, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Midday prayers are performed at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Hotel beaches are now open to guests at the Ramada Abu Dhabi Corniche after Covid-19 restrictions eased. Victor Besa / The National

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  Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai has safety measures in place to help protect worshippers. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Shiva temple in Dubai put safety measures in place to protect worshippers. Reem Mohammed / The National

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  Covid-19 safety measures are put in place at Mahamevnawa Buddhist Temple in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Residents wear face masks as they walk in Abu Dhabi city centre. Victor Besa / The National

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  People walk along near the Ramada Hotel Abu Dhabi Corniche during the pandemic. Victor Besa / The National

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  A visitor wears a protective face mask at Al Shindagha Museum in Dubai. EPA

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  A man on his e-scooter travels along the Corniche in Abu Dhabi as the sun sets. Victor Besa / The National

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  People wear face masks in Al Barsha, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

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The UAE recorded 2,902 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday as daily testing topped 500,000 for the first time.

Two more people died after contracting the coronavirus, taking the death toll to 2,200.

Another 1,285 people beat the virus as the recovery total climbed to 763,664.

The UAE has reported 813,931 Covid-19 infections since confirming its first cases in January, 2020.

The number of active cases stands at 48,067.

The latest daily infections were detected as a result of a record 518,300 PCR tests.

More than 119 million tests have been carried out to date as part of an intensive screening strategy aimed at limiting the spread of the virus.

Many employees in the Emirates are required to take regular Covid-19 tests.

From December 26, Abu Dhabi government employees were directed to take weekly PCR tests to screen for Covid-19.

Federal government and semi-government department employees have been offered free PCR tests in the capital. Other private businesses have also asked employees to be tested before returning to the workplace.

Returning teachers and school pupils in the UAE have since been required to provide negative tests at some schools.

The UAE's coronavirus infection rates have remained above 2,500 every day this year, having fallen below 50 in early December.

Authorities have called on the public to continue to abide by Covid-19 safety measures and receive a booster shot of a Covid-19 vaccine if eligible.

On Tuesday, Abu Dhabi Media Office urged the public to remain vigilant following a spike in case numbers fuelled by the emergence of the Omicron variant.

“The number of positive Covid-19 cases has increased during January, following months of a low infection rate,” the media office posted on Twitter

“We urge the community to act responsibly and protect public health by adhering to precautionary measures.”

A nationwide immunisation campaign is also central to the recovery from the pandemic.

More than 23 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered to date, with about 93 per cent of the public now fully vaccinated.