Coronavirus: UAE records 1,798 new infections as case numbers fall to three-week low

Authorities urge youngsters to get vaccinated against Covid-19

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  A sign at a public beach in Dubai urging people to follow Covid-19 distancing rules. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Participants seated adhering to social-distancing rules during an event at Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  An employee brings drinks to customers at Cafe Society in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  An employee disinfects a table before welcoming customers in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  An employee checks a customer's temperature at Cafe Society in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Visitors to Reform Athletica yoga studio in Dubai perform their exercises with their masks on. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  An employee waits to measure customers' temperatures at Cafe Society in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A cordoned off swing along the Abu Dhabi corniche amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Victor Besa / The National

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  A signboard on Covid-19 precautionary measures at Umm Al Emarat Park, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

The UAE recorded 1,798 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday.

These cases took the country’s overall tally to 489,495. Another 1,492 people beat the virus, taking total recoveries to 473,398.

Four more people died from complications caused by Covid-19, bringing the death toll to 1,541. Active cases stand at 14,556.

Wednesday's figure is the lowest since March 21, when 1,717 new cases were recorded.

New infections hovered about 2,000 for several days, having declined significantly since January.

Mass testing and a swift vaccination programme are integral to the UAE's curbing of the pandemic.

The UAE on Wednesday said it had given 138,734 vaccine doses in the past 24 hours, to reach 9.29 million doses in total. This represents a rate of 93.98 doses per 100 people.

Authorities also urged youngsters to take the vaccine to help break the chain of infection.

The National Youth Strategy defines this group as people between 15 and 35 years of age.

People aged 16 and above are eligible for a Covid-19 vaccine in the Emirates.

"We call on our youth to get vaccinated, which will have a positive effect on society by breaking the chain of infection, and maintaining [the] UAE's achievements in combating Covid-19," said Saeed Al Nazari, director general of the Federal Youth Authority, at the weekly Covid-19 media briefing.

“Abiding by the rules is an individual responsibility and a national obligation to keep communities safe.”