Coronavirus: UAE reports 1,744 new cases and two deaths

Another 1,718 people recovered in the 24-hour reporting period

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 1,744 new coronavirus cases on Monday, pushing the total number of infections to 940,503.

Another 1,718 people beat the virus and recoveries climbed to 920,873.

Two deaths were reported in the past 24 hours as the UAE's toll reached 2,313.

There are 17,317 active Covid-19 infections.

The latest cases were detected from an additional 206,412 PCR tests. Nearly 170 million tests have been conducted since the first case was reported on January 29, 2020.

The number of daily infections has risen in recent weeks and has topped 1,500 since June 20, after fewer than 200 were recorded throughout early May.

In latest developments, Pfizer has adapted its Covid-19 vaccine to make it more effective against the Omicron variant.

Alongside its partner, BioNTech, Pfizer studied two ways of updating its shots — in one case it targeted Omicron, while the other was a combination booster offering additional protection to the original vaccine.

Studies were carried out to determine whether to double the current dosage of 30mg.

The study of more than 1,200 middle-aged and older adults who had received three vaccine doses was conducted by Pfizer, which said both methods demonstrated a significant rise in the number of Omicron antibodies.

The Omicron-specific booster had the best results in helping the immune system to combat the variant.

Test patients who received the combination shot had an average increase of Omicron antibodies of around 9 to 11 times.

The data is set to be debated by the US Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday.