Coronavirus: UAE reports 1,321 cases and 792 recoveries

Latest infections were detected after 139,909 tests are carried out

A cyclist passes a model of a dhow in Bur Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A Dubai stallholder at work. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A pedestrian looks over the water in Bur Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

People play cricket at a sports area in Al Quoz, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A trader sorts out his stock at a Dubai market. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A staff member at a bakery performs a temperature check in Downtown, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A motorist pays for his parking in Bur Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A passer by walks near a safe distance sign in Bur Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The head coach at Front Foot sports cricket academy disinfects the stumps in Al Quoz, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The UAE recorded 1,321 Covid-19 cases on Thursday, taking the number of infections to 189,866.

A further 792 patients were given the all-clear as the recovery tally climbed to 166,541.

Officials said three patients died of related complications, raising the death toll to 629.

The latest infections were detected as a result of an additional 139,909 tests in the past 24 hours.

The number of active cases in the country increased to 22,696 as new infections continue to outstrip recoveries.

More than 18.9 million Covid-19 tests have been carried out across the country as part of a robust screening campaign.

The UAE is among the top countries for testing per capita as it seeks to identify, isolate and treat cases before the infection can spread.

A vaccination programme is currently under way to inoculate Emiratis and residents against the deadly virus.

Hospitals have prepared for an influx in bookings to administer the Sinopharm-developed vaccine in two doses.

The UAE is also helping to distribute vaccines worldwide with Abu Dhabi's Hope Consortium on Thursday signing agreements with four international logistics companies to boost its global reach.

Partnerships with Agility Logistics, Aramex, Hellman Worldwide Logistics and Kuehne+Nagel will increase potential distribution coverage to 80 per cent of the world, according to Abu Dhabi Government Media Office.

Emirates has also established a hub at its SkyCargo centre in Dubai to allow the carrier to fly in vaccines from manufacturing sites globally.