Coronavirus: UAE records 549 new Covid-19 cases but says easing restrictions is not complacency

Country has recorded 2,329 recoveries and 98 deaths andsince outbreak began

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  A family walks at Dubai International Airport on April 27, 2020. Reuters

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  The Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa and Jumeirah Beach Hotel on April 26, 2020 in Dubai. Getty Images

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  A man is seen through a thermal camera at Dubai International Airport on April 27. Reuters

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  Empty electronic gates are seen at Dubai International Airport on April 27, 2020. Reuters

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  A passenger stands on a sign to keep distance at Dubai International Airport on April 27, 2020. Reuters

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  A passenger waits before boarding at Dubai International Airport on April 27, 2020. Reuters

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  Passengers wait before boarding at Dubai International Airport on April 27, 2020. Reuters

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  Passengers wait before boarding at Dubai International Airport on April 27, 2020. Reuters

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  Dubai Duty Free closed shops at Dubai International Airport. Reuters

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  Emirates airline employees check a passenger at Dubai International Airport, on April 27, 2020. Reuters

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  A child plays at Dubai International Airport on April 27, 2020. Reuters

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  A passenger walks at Dubai International Airport on April 27, 2020. Reuters

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  Men wearing protective masks walk at Dubai's old market. EPA

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  People, wearing protective masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, walk in Ibn Battuta mall in Dubai. AFP

The UAE has identified 549 new cases of coronavirus as a result of conducting 26,195 more tests across the country.

And the health authorities on Wednesday stressed that easing restrictions does not mean complacency.

“Prevention is mandatory for everyone to protect himself first and protect those around him,” said Dr Farida Al Hosani, spokeswoman for the country's health sector.

"And based on awareness and responsibility in commitment we will all succeed, God willing, in overcoming this stage."

Dr Al Hosani said that people should maintain social distancing at all times.

The figures, revealed on Wednesday, bring the country's number of cases to 11,929.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention said nine people died of complications since Tuesday's announcement, two of whom had pre-existing health conditions.

The ministry said 148 patients had recovered, bringing the number of patients who have been cleared to 2,329.

There have been no relapse cases of infection.

Dr Al Hosani said a large percentage of those with the coronavirus can be asymptomatic.

They should be in quarantine at home or in centres provided by the government.

A very small percentage of people who get infected will develop acute symptoms such as inflammation of the lungs or shortness of breath. At this stage they may need medical intervention to help breathe.

People with chronic diseases, senior citizens and smokers are particularly at risk.

The UAE has conducted more than a million coronavirus tests, placing the country third worldwide for the most tests for each one million of population as of April 27.

Only Iceland and the Faroe Islands have carried out more.

The mass testing is part of the UAE's strategy to identify cases as early as possible, then isolate and treat patients to avoid them spreading the disease to others.