The UAE reported a record number of coronavirus infections for a second day.
Officials confirmed 1,730 cases on Thursday, topping the 1,723 of the previous day, as the country’s total caseload rose to 207,822.
Four patients died, taking the death toll to 669.
A further 1,435 patients were given the all-clear as the recovery tally climbed to 184,442.
The latest infections were detected as a result of 146,721 tests.
Active cases nationwide now stand at 22,711.
The UAE has conducted close to 21 million tests to date.
Authorities have called on the public to support Covid-19 safety measures to help stem the recent rise in case numbers.
Dr Saif Al Dhaheri, spokesman for the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, stressed the need to abide by Covid-19 safety measures while ringing in 2021.
In a briefing, he reiterated the importance of wearing masks at both at public and private gatherings on New Year’s Eve, and of sticking to social distancing rules.
“The government has proved professional in dealing with the pandemic,” Dr Al Dhaheri said.
“In the last few days we have been able to trace an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in the UAE.
“We would like to call on all people, specifically during the holidays, to adhere to measures put in place by the health sector since the outbreak.”
