Coronavirus: UAE reports 281 new cases after 48,000 tests

Country reported no deaths for second day running

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The UAE reported 281 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, bringing the country's total to 56,129.

Another 994 patients were given the all-clear, pushing the overall recovery tally to 47,412.

The country reported no deaths for a second day, keeping the

toll at 335.

The new cases were identified after another 48,000 tests were carried out nationwide in the previous 24 hours.

The UAE is also playing a key role in the international effort to combat the pandemic.

The country has begun the first globally recognised clinical trial for a Covid-19 vaccine in Abu Dhabi.

The chairman of the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, volunteered as the first to test the inactive vaccine, which contains a dead version of the germ that causes Covid-19.

Dr Jamal Al Kaabi, acting undersecretary of the department, which is overseeing the trials, volunteered to be second in line to test if the vaccine is capable of producing antibodies that fight the coronavirus and provide immunity.

The tests are the first Phase 3 clinical trial for Covid-19 to be listed by World Health Organisation, officials said on Thursday.

More than 13.8 million coronavirus cases have been recorded around the world, contributing to almost 590,000 deaths.