Coronavirus: UAE records 1,596 new cases as vaccine doses pass 12m

New infections have increased slightly over the past two days, but have reduced significantly since January

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The UAE recorded 1,596 new Covid-19 cases on Saturday, a slight increase on Friday's figure.


These latest infections brought the country's total number of cases to 554,516.

Another 1,571 patients overcame the coronavirus, as the number of recoveries climbed to 534,481.

The death toll stands at 1,648, following four more fatalities.

It came as vaccine doses passed the 12 million mark. Authorities said 90,294 doses were administered over the past 24 hours to reach 12.03m in total. This represents a rate of 121.68 doses per 100 people.

New infections have increased slightly over the past two days, but have reduced significantly since reaching close to 4,000 in January.

On Friday, the country recorded 1,490 new Covid-19 cases.

There are 18,387 active cases in the Emirates.

An additional 224,887 tests were carried out, pushing the total number beyond 48 million.

Authorities have deployed one of the world's fastest vaccination drives and widespread testing to curb the pandemic.

More than 12 million vaccine doses have been administered so far.

Meanwhile, hoteliers and restaurateurs have predicted a summer boost, after the government of Dubai relaxed Covid-19 rules during the week.

The decision last Monday to cut social distancing from three metres to two metres allows restaurants to accommodate more diners.