Coronavirus: UAE records 1,843 new cases

More than 1,500 people recover from the virus

Powered by automated translation

The UAE recorded 1,843 new coronavirus cases on Friday, taking the country’s overall tally to 493,266.

Another 1,506 people recovered from the virus, taking total recoveries to 476,518.

Two more people died from complications caused by Covid-19, raising the death toll to 1,547. Active cases stand at 15,201.

The new cases came after authorities conducted 198,135 tests.

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

Widespread testing and one of the world's fastest vaccination programmes are integral to UAE efforts to curb the pandemic.

Authorities on Friday said 102,340 vaccine doses were given in the last 24 hours, to reach 9.48 million total doses. This represents 95.95 doses per 100 people.

Meanwhile, the chief executive of Pfizer said people will probably need a third dose of his company's Covid-19 vaccine within a year of being fully vaccinated.

Albert Bourla also said annual vaccinations against the coronavirus may be required.

"We need to see what would be the sequence and for how often we need to do that, that remains to be seen," Mr Bourla told CNBC.

"A likely scenario is that there will be a need for a third dose, somewhere between six and 12 months, and then from there there will be an annual revaccination, but all of that needs to be confirmed," he said.