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


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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.

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Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

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