Coronavirus: Dubai's daily testing capacity increases as two new centres open for PCRs

People queue for the vaccine near DIFC. The city has approved Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinopharm and Oxfrd-AstraZeneca for use, and officials hope to have half the population vaccinated by late March. AFP

Abu Dhabi has vaccinated at least 60 per cent of teachers and school staff, many during a week-long vaccine drive in late January. Courtesy: Adek

A man receives a dose of a vaccine against Covid-19 at St Paul’s Church in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

A vaccine is administered at Bareen International Hospital in Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: Bareen hospital

Abu Dhabi has vaccinated at least 60 per cent of teachers and school staff, many during a week-long vaccine drive in late January. Courtesy: Adek

Airport personnel unload a coronavirus vaccine shipment at Dubai International Airport on February 1, 2021. AFP

An Emirates Airlines Boeing 777 unloads a coronavirus vaccine shipment at Dubai International Airport on February 1, 2021. The airline is part of the Vaccine Logistics Alliance, which includes also logistics giant DP World. Karim Sahib / AFP

People wait to enter a vaccination centre at Dubai's financial district on January 24, 2021. AFP

People queue for the vaccine near DIFC. The city has approved Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinopharm and Oxfrd-AstraZeneca for use, and officials hope to have half the population vaccinated by late March. AFP

A teacher gives a thumbs up as he receives the Sinopharm vaccine in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: Department of Education and Knowledge

A placard informs the public of the location of a designated Covid-19 vaccination centre in Dubai's financial centre district. AFP

People in Dubai queue for a vaccine on January 24, 2021. AFP

Dubai has increased its daily Covid-19 testing capacity after the emirate’s health authority opened two new centres.

The Dubai Health Authority said clinics at Al Safa Health Centre and Nad Al Sheba Centre for Ladies are open to the public.

PCR tests can now be done at these 11 DHA centres:

• Al Rashidiya Majlis
• Jumeirah 1 Port Majlis
• Al Nasr Club
• Nad Al Sheba Centre for Ladies
• Mall of the Emirates
• City Centre Deira
• Nad Al Hamar
• Al Mankhool
• Al Twar
• Al Lusaily
• Al Safa

Appointments can be made either via the DHA app or by calling the helpline number of 800 342.

Tests can also be done at public and private hospitals in the emirate.

The UAE reported 2,250 new cases of Covid-19 on Sunday – the lowest number reported on any day this month.

Officials announced 3,684 new recoveries, exceeding the number of new cases by more than 1,400.

There are now 9,603 active cases in the UAE – the first time this number has fallen below 10,000 since the beginning of the year.

Another 17 patients died, increasing the number of deaths to 1,125.

The total tally of Covid-19 infections since the outbreak of the pandemic now stands at 370,425, with 359,697 patients having beaten the virus.

The Emirates carried out 197,701 tests in the past 24 hours. More than 29.3 million tests have been conducted since the beginning of the pandemic.

Dubai residents receiving the Pfizer Vaccine - in pictures

A Dubai ambulance worker is vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine in Dubai.

An older resident receives her first shot at Zabeel Health Centre on December 27, 2020.

The vaccine is expected to be rolled out to all age groups once people in the essential categories have been vaccinated.

A nurse holds a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which was approved for use by Dubai's emergency and crisis authority and the federal Ministry of Health.

An employee from Roads and Transport Authority receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in Dubai.

A woman receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at Zabeel Health Centre in Dubai on 27 December, 2020.

The city has six vaccine centres where the Pfizer-BioNTech shot is available.

A man waits to receive the first of two doses at Zabeel Health Centre in Dubai on 27 December, 2020.

A nurse opens a freezer at Barsha Health Centre. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine must be kept at minus 70C when transported.

A nurse opens a freezer at Barsha Health Centre. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine must be kept at minus 70C when transported.

A vial of the vaccine is seen at Barsha Health Centre. AFP

A nurse prepares a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at al-Barsha Health Centre in Dubai. AFP