Coronavirus: UAE reports 1,621 new infections

The country now has 17,187 active cases

Mandatory checking of the Al Hosn app by security at every entrance of the Khalidiyah Mall in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Al Hosn green pass awareness signs are placed at every entrance of Khalidiyah Mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

An EDE scanner sign at the main entrance of Khalidiyah Mall. The scanners can detect whether a person may have coronavirus. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Masks are worn to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Antonie Robertson/The National

Yas Mall Al Hosn signs. Victor Besa / The National

Yas Clinic screening centre at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

The UAE has taken robust action to help stem the spread of Covid-19 since the virus first emerged two-and-a-half years ago. Victor Besa / The National

A number of safety measures governing the economy, education, travel and the health sector were introduced as part of a major drive to protect public health. Victor Besa / The National

Some restrictions have been eased in recent months — including the wearing of masks outdoors — but other rules remain in place. Victor Besa / The National

Yas Clinic screening centre at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A member of staff takes a Covid-19 sample at the NMC Royal Hospital in DIP, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A person with two positive tests is a confirmed case in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A member of staff cleans a surgery room at the NMC Royal Hospital in DIP, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Covid-19 cases are on the rise in UAE and authorities have told residents to wear masks as a preventive measure. Pawan Singh / The National

In Dubai, anyone with a positive PCR test for Covid-19 is a confirmed case. That means you have to isolate for 10 days, even if you do not have symptoms. Pawan Singh / The National

In Dubai, the 10-day home isolation period is mandatory. The first day is the day you took the PCR test. Pawan Singh / The National

Covid testing carried out at Seha Covid-19 Drive Through Screening Centre Rabdan, in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

At a coronavirus briefing on Monday, authorities said the wearing of face masks in indoor public settings would be strictly enforced, with Dh3,000 fines for those breaching rules. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

The UAE reported 1,621 new coronavirus cases and 1,605 recoveries on Thursday.

Officials said no one died in the past 24 hours from complications.

The country has recorded 933,688 cases, 914,192 recoveries and 2,309 deaths since the pandemic began.

There are 17,187 active cases in the country.

The latest cases were identified from 325,016 tests. More than 168 million tests have been carried out to date.

Widespread testing and a high vaccination rate are credited for bringing down the number of new daily infections but case numbers have risen in recent weeks and have topped 1,000 a day since June 9. They were below 200 in early May.

Earlier this week, doctors told The National that complacency was leading to the increase in numbers.

They said people with symptoms of coronavirus who avoid taking a test must shoulder much of the blame for the rising number of cases.

Some patients are writing symptoms off as flu and do not take a test or isolate at home, they said.

Other factors in the spread of infection include new variants of the virus, more socialising indoors as temperatures increase, fewer people wearing masks and waning immunity from vaccines.

“The rise in cases is due to a casual attitude towards Covid-19 protocols,” said Dr Ahmed Khairy, head of the department of internal medicine at NMC Royal Hospital in Abu Dhabi.

People are being urged to not let their guard down and follow precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus.