Coronavirus: UAE records 995 new cases and 1,076 recoveries

Workers clean tables at the food court in Yas Mall. Victor Besa / The National

Safety precautions at The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa. Victor Besa / The National

Florists at Florette in Dubai prepare bouquets for delivery with Covid-19 prevention measures in place. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Florists at Florette in Dubai prepare bouquets for delivery with Covid-19 prevention measures in place. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Jasson Ramelo takes care of his stall at Jumeirah Fish Market. He says business has been slow since the outbreak.” Antonie Robertson / The National

Jasson Ramelo tends to his stall at Jumeirah Fish Market. Antonie Robertson / The National

The UAE reported 995 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday.

Authorities said 1,076 patients were cleared of the virus, taking the total number of recoveries to 82,538.

Three deaths were registered, pushing the death toll to 416.

The infections were detected after 98,412 tests were carried out in the past 24 hours.

More than 9.5 million tests have been carried out since the outbreak began as part of a mass screening strategy.

The UAE has reported 93,090 coronavirus cases to date, while 82,538 patients have recovered so far.

To encourage more people to get tested, government-run hospitals in Dubai have reduced the price of the PCR nasal swab tests to Dh150.

Dubai Health Authority said the price had been reduced from Dh250.

Tests in public and private hospitals were Dh370 a month ago but have steadily come down in price.

Private hospitals in the emirate are not allowed to charge more than Dh250 per test, the authority said.

Dubai also announced the opening of the three new testing centres in Al Rashidiya Majlis, Al Hamriya Port Majlis and Jumeirah 1 Port Majlis.

There are two other testing centres in Al Shabab Al Ahli and Al Nasr Club.

Dr Farida Al Khaja, CEO of DHA’s Clinical Support Services and Nursing Sector, said the new centres are accepting people who want to get tested.

Those who want to take the tests should get an appointment by calling on the DHA toll-free number 800342.

On Monday, UAE officials said a Covid-19 vaccine may be available in the global market by late this year or early 2021.

Dr Farida Al Hosani, a government health spokeswoman and a director of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said the timescale depended on trial results.

She said officials were monitoring the latest developments in vaccine trials around the world.

“We are closely following all of the updates with a Covid vaccine and there is more than one (vaccine) candidate,” she said.

“We are expecting that at a global level, widespread use of vaccination will start at the end of this year or the beginning of next year, based on the study results.”