Coronavirus: UAE reports highest number of Covid-19 cases for second day as 1,730 infections confirmed

A further 1,435 people recovered but four patients died

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  People walk around in the Al Karama area of Dubai as life in the UAE beings to resemble pre-pandemic times. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National

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  The country has got to grips with curbing the spread of Covid-19.

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  The UAE registered its lowest daily tally of new Covid-19 infections in 20 months.

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  More than 100 million coronavirus tests have been conducted in the UAE to date.

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  People wearing masks are out shopping in the Al Karama area of Dubai.

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  The UAE's extensive vaccination campaign has been widely credited with helping to drive down case numbers.

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  New daily cases have remained below 100 for five weeks.

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  Authorities confirmed last week that 100 per cent of the eligible population had now received at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose.

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  More than 90 per cent of the UAE population are fully vaccinated.

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  A masked worker pushes a trolley laden with water bottles in the Al Karama area of Dubai.

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  Social distancing stickers pasted at a bus stop serve as a warning to travellers in Dubai.

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  People shopping in the Al Karama area of Dubai.

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.”