Coronavirus: UAE passes 2.5 million Covid-19 tests as 626 new cases confirmed

More than 21,000 people have recovered from Covid-19 and the death toll stands at 275

Pedestrians protect themselves with face masks during the Covid-19 pandemic while crossing the street at downtown Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Municipality gardeners trim some trees along the Corniche in preparation for the eventual reopening of Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Commuters at a bus stop protect themselves with face masks during the Covid-19 pandemic along Zayed the First Street. Victor Besa / The National

Sprint training returns with Ultimate Athletics as kids go back to training in Sports City, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A woman exercising in a park by Dubai Creek in Baniyas, Deira. Reem Mohammed/The National

A worker wearing a hard hat walks past a mural in the Gulf emirate. AFP

The UAE has carried out more than 2.5 million Covid-19 tests since the coronavirus outbreak began.

Officials confirmed that the milestone was passed when they revealed that a further 52,996 tests had been conducted.

The latest batch of tests identified 626 new coronavirus cases, bringing the country's total to 38,268.

Another 724 patients have made a full recovery, bringing this tally to 21,061.

One more patient died, bringing the nation's death toll to 275.

Dr Farida Al Hosani, spokeswoman for the UAE health sector, urged residents to continue acting responsibly and to adhere to safety measures as restrictions on trade and travel are gradually lifted across the Emirates.

"Our commitment is a national obligation that helps us get through this period. The gradual restoration of normal life cannot be fruitful unless people adhere to precautionary measures in public areas and workplaces," Dr Al Hosani said.

"Restrictions have eased but each individual is responsible for themselves and their loved ones."

Families were told they must play a "pivotal role" in spreading the word – particularly to younger relatives – over the crucial importance of abiding by measures such as social distancing and the wearing of face masks when outside.

Dr Amna Al Shamsi, UAE government spokeswoman, stressed the need for residents to ignore rumours and ill-founded information on social media which she said can create "unjust fear, panic and chaos".

She said despite efforts to clamp down on false news being spread online, officials were aware of unhelpful videos and predictions about the pandemic being posted on social media platforms.

As of Saturday evening, the number of coronavirus cases across the globe was approaching seven million.

Close to 400,000 people have died after contracting the virus, while more than 3.3 million have made full recoveries.