UAE reports 1,388 new Covid-19 cases

Daily infection rates have declined steadily in July

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 1,388 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday after 287,895 tests were carried out.

The latest cases take the overall tally of coronavirus infections to 978,966 since the epidemic began more than two years ago.

Another 1,282 people beat the virus, as total recoveries climbed to 958,728.

One coronavirus-related death was recorded in the 24-hour reporting period, taking the toll to 2,329.

More than 174 million PCR tests have been conducted since the first case in the Emirates was reported on January 29, 2020.

Daily infection rates have steadily declined in July, having topped 1,800 at the start of the month.

The spike of cases in June coincided with the spread of the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5, which were responsible for increases in Europe and the US.

In recent weeks, virologists have expressed concerns about the Centaurus coronavirus sub-variant that is spreading fast in India and Europe, which could be more contagious than other strains and better at surpassing immunity afforded by vaccines and previous infection.

Centaurus, or BA.2.75, is a sub-variant of the Omicron strain that was first detected in India in early May, and has so far reached 14 countries, including Australia, Japan, Canada, the US, UK, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

However, it is not known yet whether it is more transmissible or associated with more severe cases of Covid-19 disease. The World Health Organisation has designated BA.2.75 as a sub-variant "under monitoring".

Researchers in the Netherlands said the variant could be more contagious than previous forms of the virus, as it continues to mutate to evade immunity that has developed in populations since Covid-19 first broke out in 2020.

The Omicron has had five sub-variants that are being monitored closely.