Coronavirus: UAE records 1,046 new Covid-19 cases

Another 1,154 patients recovered from the virus while one person died

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 recorded 1,046 Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing its total count to 101,840.

Another 1,154 patients were cleared of the virus, raising the recovery tally to 91,710.

One patient died during the daily reporting period, taking the total death toll to 436.

The latest cases were detected after a further 111,882 tests were conducted.

It is the second highest amount of daily tests carried out since the outbreak began, only behind the 117,812 tests conducted on Saturday.

The UAE has completed more than 10.43 million tests to date.

The number of active cases across the country now stands at 9,694.

On Wednesday, authorities in Dubai fined five businesses and warned seven others for not adhering to safety measures.

Dubai Economy inspectors visited more than 700 shops and commercial establishments in Hor al Anz and Naif and found the vast majority to be in full compliance with regulations.

Four of the five businesses were fined because their employees were not wearing face masks while the fifth was not adhering to physical distancing measures.

Inspection teams have been sent out across the country to ensure businesses are upholding regulations designed to protect the public and prevent the spread of Covid-19.

On Tuesday, officials renewed their appeals for the public to vaccinate against the flu, as influenza season approaches.

Dr Omar Al Hammadi, spokesman for the UAE's Covid-19 briefings, said handling influenza season during the pandemic would put pressure on the country's healthcare facilities but people could help by getting the flu shot.

"Protecting yourself against the flu involves the same steps as protecting yourself from Covid-19: social distancing, wearing a face mask and avoiding touching surfaces and then touching your face," he said.

Dr Al Hammadi said most healthy patients could recover from the flu but it is particularly dangerous for the elderly and people with pre-existing medical conditions.

It takes about two weeks for the body to develop antibodies to protect against the virus, Dr Al Hammadi said.

He reiterated that the flu vaccine would not protect a person from Covid-19 but would help boost immunity should someone contract both viruses.

The symptoms for both illnesses are almost identical and can only be differentiated with a PCR test.