Coronavirus: UAE records 1,041 new Covid-19 cases

People walk around in the Al Karama area of Dubai as life in the UAE beings to resemble pre-pandemic times. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National

The country has got to grips with curbing the spread of Covid-19.

The UAE registered its lowest daily tally of new Covid-19 infections in 20 months.

More than 100 million coronavirus tests have been conducted in the UAE to date.

People wearing masks are out shopping in the Al Karama area of Dubai.

The UAE's extensive vaccination campaign has been widely credited with helping to drive down case numbers.

New daily cases have remained below 100 for five weeks.

Authorities confirmed last week that 100 per cent of the eligible population had now received at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose.

More than 90 per cent of the UAE population are fully vaccinated.

A masked worker pushes a trolley laden with water bottles in the Al Karama area of Dubai.

Social distancing stickers pasted at a bus stop serve as a warning to travellers in Dubai.

People shopping in the Al Karama area of Dubai.

The UAE reported 1,041 new cases of Covid-19 on Sunday – the first drop in daily figures in four days.

The infections raised the country's total to 98,801 and were detected after 108,906 more tests were carried out.

"The infected individuals are from various nationalities, are in a stable condition and are receiving the necessary care," the Ministry of Health and Prevention said.

On Sunday, authorities said they would continue to expand the scope of testing across the country to ensure early detection, isolation and treatment of patients.

Tests exceeded 100,000 for three consecutive days, with the highest number of screenings to date, 117,812, conducted on Saturday.

At least 1,001 patients were cleared of the virus, taking the recovery tally to 88,123. And no new deaths were recorded, leaving the toll at 426.

The number of active cases stands at 10,252. The country has conducted more than 10.1 million tests since the outbreak.

Rising case figures have prompted a campaign to enforce safety measures across the country.

Concerns have been raised over social gatherings at home and in public venues.

Authorities have taken tough action in recent weeks, issuing fines and closing businesses that breach regulations designed to protect public health.

On Sunday, Dubai fined 13 sports establishments and shops for flouting Covid-19 rules.

Inspectors also warned another 19 at the weekend to ensure compliance with guidelines.

Breaches included not wearing masks, failing to keep enough space and not installing distancing stickers.

Some of the shopping centres and markets were in Umm Ramool, Al Muraqqabat and Ayal Nasir.

Inspections found that 656 shops and commercial establishments complied with the precautionary measures.

Authorities have been clamping down on businesses and people breaking rules designed to curb the spread of coronavirus amid a rise in cases.

Officials have called on the public to renew their commitment to the fight against Covid-19 by adhering to safety measures.

Daily figures fell as low as 164 on August 3 but have been steadily increasing since.

Despite the recent increase in the number of cases, the number of recoveries is encouraging.

The seven-day average number of new cases is 1,047 while the average number of daily recoveries during the same period is 1,083, outstripping new infections.

On Sunday, the government issued a renewed rallying call to the public to tackle the pandemic together and drive down infection numbers.

Officials said seven inspection teams in each of the emirates were monitoring businesses and the public to ensure the 46 safety measures were being upheld.

They said not wearing a face mask was the most breached measure.

In the first two weeks of September, 24,849 breaches were recorded across the country.

"The increase in violations does not mean there is an increase in infections," said Dr Saif Al Dhaheri, official spokesman of the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority.

Dr Al Dhaheri said rather these were the result of intensified inspections.

He said proactive planning was key to the UAE's response to Covid-19.

In July, the authority called on health officials to prepare for the seasonal flu and ensure enough vaccines were available.

Health authorities have since launched campaigns to encourage the public to be vaccinated against the flu to avoid straining the country's medical system.