Coronavirus: UAE records 254 new cases as 295 patients recover

A Syrian municipality worker disinfects a bus in the northern city of Aleppo. AFP

A Palestinian worker wearing a protective face mask cleans a table as another sanitises a classroom at a UN-run school before the start of new academic year, amid concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, in Gaza City. Reuters

A shopkeeper wearing a protective mask looks at his mobile phone as he waits for customers at Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey. Reuters

Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi opens with 30 per cent capacity as Covid-19 restrictions are slowly withdrawn. Victor Besa / The National

Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi opens with 30 per cent capacity as Covid-19 restrictions are eased gradually. Victor Besa / The National

A souvenir shop at Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A Palestinian worker wearing a protective face mask cleans a classroom in a UN-run school before the start of a new academic year in Gaza City. Reuters

An Iraqi man, wearing a protective mask waits at a money exchange office in Sulaimaniyah city. AFP

A Syrian municipality worker disinfects passing cars in the heart of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo. AFP

The UAE confirmed 254 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing the country's total to 61,606.

A further 295 people recovered from the virus, pushing the overall tally to 55,385.

The latest infections were identified after a further 43,369 tests were conducted.

Officials recorded two deaths linked to Covid-19 over the past 24 hours.

The death toll in the Emirates stands at 353.

The UAE recorded its first cases of the coronavirus on January 29, when four members of a family tested positive after returning from Wuhan during the Chinese New Year’s holiday.

The country's first deaths were announced on March 21 – an Arab citizen, 78, who returned from Europe and an Asian citizen, 58.

As of Sunday, the UAE has carried out more than 5.1 million tests as part of a mass screening strategy aimed at limiting the spread of the virus.

In a related development, passengers travelling to the UAE can now undergo pre-flight testing at any reputable clinic overseas.

The UAE's National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority said any centre approved by the government of that country could carry out a Covid-19 test for travellers.

All residents, tourists and citizens must be tested within 96 hours of travelling to the UAE and present their negative Covid-19 test to airline check-in desk staff.

Previously, travellers were required to take a test in a network of UAE-recognised clinics affiliated with Pure Health, a major Gulf testing lab, which meant some people had to travel hundreds of kilometres.

The emergency authority and the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship said it would "expand the approval of the results of medical examinations to include all accredited laboratories by governments in countries around the world".

Globally, coronavirus cases stood at 18.5 million on Tuesday, while recoveries reached 11.7 million and the death toll raced past 700,000.