Coronavirus: UAE records 2,373 new Covid-19 cases

At least 17,927 people currently have Covid-19 – up almost 600 cases from the day before

A man wears a face mask in Al Jadaf area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A shopkeeper lights coal to burn incense to attract customers to his shop in Dubai's Spice Souq. Antonie Robertson / The National

A shopkeeper in Deira Souq. He fills a bag with tea leaves that he hopes to sell to tourists. Antonie Robertson / The National

Men talk at the Abra station near the Spice Souq. Antonie Robertson / The National

An almost empty street in Deira Souq. Antonie Robertson / The National

Pedestrians wait to cross Baniyas Street in Deira. Antonie Robertson / The National

A sign at the Old Souq Abra Station in Deira reminds people to wear a mask. Antonie Robertson / The National

People step off an abra in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Another 2,373 cases of Covid-19 were detected in the UAE on Tuesday, as new infections exceeded daily recoveries for a 12th consecutive day.

Authorities cleared 1,784 patients of the virus, raising the recovery tally to 396,433 – or 96 per cent of the 415,705 cases recorded in the Emirates to date.

Ten patients died, taking the death toll to 1,345. Though the daily death count has increased in recent weeks, the UAE has among the lowest Covid-19 fatality rates in the world with 0.3 per cent of cases ending in death.

At least 17,927 people currently have Covid-19 diagnosed – up almost 600 cases from the day before. Active cases dropped to 5,421 about three weeks ago after a high of 27,792 in mid-January.

Tuesday's new infections were detected after another 219,593 tests were carried out. The UAE has adopted a robust approach to testing, with tens of thousands of screenings being conducted across the country each day.

To date, more than 32.6 million PCR and DPI tests have been carried out in the Emirates.

The country's immunisation campaign is also under way, with more than 6.3 million doses administered. Another 37,460 doses were administered over the preceding 24 hours, raising the rate of vaccination to 63.95 doses for every 100 people – the third highest in the world, after Israel and the Seychelles.

This week, the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi mandated that people attending a business or entertainment event in the UAE capital will have to present a negative Covid-19 PCR test result received within the preceding 48 hours.

Event organisers and staff members will also have to undergo Covid-19 testing on a weekly basis, according to an updated circular from the department.

Capacity for visitors attending business events will be capped at 50 per cent, the circular said, and a limit of 30 per cent has been set for entertainment events.

Visitors, exhibitors and delegates will have to fill out registration forms in advance, with contact numbers in case of emergencies.

Venue and organiser staff and contractors must install Al Hosn app.

Last month, Abu Dhabi successfully hosted the International Defence Exhibition and Conference, the first major in-person exhibition to be held in the capital since the Covid-19 pandemic began.