Coronavirus: UAE active cases drop for a third consecutive day

Recoveries outstrip new cases as 1,311 new infections detected

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  Adel Hassan Shukralla, 32, from Dubai Police, was among the first Dubai residents to receive the vaccine

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  Asha Susan Philip, a 45-year-old nurse with Dubai Health Authority, receives the Pfizer vaccine.

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  Asif Khan Fazle Subhan, a 37-year-old driver for Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, is vaccinated against Covid-19

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  Shamaa Saif Rashid Alalili, 36, a Dubai Ambulance worker, receives the Covid-19 jab

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  Ali Salem Ali Aladidi, 84, was one of the first in the emirate to take the Pfizer shot

The UAE recorded 1,311 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday, taking the total number of infections to 198,435.

Another 1,495 patients were given the all-clear and the recovery tally climbed to 174,479. Almost 88 per cent of all cases since January have ended in recovery.

The latest infections were detected after 145,523 tests more tests were carried out over the past 24 hours.

Officials said two patients died of health complications, taking the death toll to 647. The UAE's death rate is 0.3 per cent – one of the lowest in the world.

Active cases decreased for the third consecutive day on Thursday – 23,309 people currently have a positive diagnosis.

Almost 19.9 million Covid-19 tests have been carried out across the country as part of a robust screening campaign.

Strict safety measures are in place across the country and voluntary vaccination campaigns are under way.

This week, Dubai authorised the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

The first phase of the inoculation campaign will target four categories:

1. Emiratis and residents aged 60 and above, those with chronic diseases and people with disabilities

2. Frontline workers in the public and private sectors

3. Workers in essential sectors

4. Members of the public who wish to get vaccinated

The authority said it approved specific numbers from each vaccination category according to the "planned stages and priorities".

It is available by appointment at six health centres: Zabeel Primary Health Care Centre, Al Mizhar Primary Health Care Centre, Nad Al Hamr Primary Health Care Centre, Barsha Primary Health Care Centre, Uptown Mirdif Medical Fitness Centre and Hatta Hospital.

The Sinopharm vaccine is available across the Emirates.

The vaccine uses a killed version of the virus to prompt an immune response from its recipient. It is administered in two doses over 28 days and is 86 per cent effective, according to UAE regulators.

It is available at all clinics run by Abu Dhabi's public health operator, Seha, and at hospitals run by the private company VPS Healthcare. NMC Healthcare is also offering the vaccine at 11 hospitals in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

In Dubai, residents can get the vaccine at Dubai Parks and Resorts field hospital near Jebel Ali.