UAE records 1,588 new Covid-19 cases

A further 2,301 people recovered from the virus in 24-hour reporting period

People get tested for coronavirus at the Mina Rashid screening centre in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, health authorities have called upon citizens and residents to join with the efforts of health care professionals. Health workers, such as these Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, have led the way. Reem Mohammed / The National

Healthcare workers at the emergency ward in Sheikh Khalifa Medical City. The President, Sheikh Khalifa, has paid tribute to the frontline workers who helped to curb Covid-19. Reem Mohammed / The National

Healthcare workers at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City receive a patient outside the emergency department. Reem Mohammed / The National

A consultant physician at the emergency department in Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, receives a Covid-19 patient. Reem Mohammed / The National

People get the laser blood test tests at the Mina Rashid screening centre in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A nurse sanitises her hands after conducting a swab test at one of the UAE's screening drive-through centres in Mina Rashid, Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

A health worker taking the Covid-19 nasal swab test at a testing station in thet Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Nurse Renu Venugopal, who contracted Covid-19, recovered and continued to treat patients at Al Zahra Hospital, Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ruth Deva Kiruba says being pregnant during a pandemic was surreal and sometimes lonely. Chris Whiteoak / The National

EMT nurse Jephy Antony, who contracted Covid-19, recovered and continued to treat patients at the NMC Royal Hospital, DIP, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A visitor gets tested at the Ras Al Khaimah Covid-19 drive-through testing centre. Reem Mohammed / The National

Nurse Nikhil Rajendran inside the fever clinic at the Bareen International Hospital in Mohamed Bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

Shane Simeon Galang from Philippines, Mervat Aslan Mhgoub Mohamed from Egypt and Sowmya Kotian from India, who are nurses at the Bareen International Hospital in Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

The UAE recorded 1,588 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday, as daily infections stayed below 2,000 for the fourth day in a row.

Five people died during the 24-hour reporting period, while a further 2,301 recoveries were confirmed.

Authorities have reported 864,102 cases, 793,619 recoveries and 2,278 deaths to date.

The number of active cases fell to 68,205 as recoveries exceeded new infections for the fourth consecutive day.

The latest infections were identified as a result of 527,913 PCR tests.

More than 130 million tests have been conducted across the Emirates under a comprehensive screening strategy.

Case numbers have dropped significantly in recent weeks, following a sharp rise at the end of 2021.

Daily infections reached 3,116 on January 15 - the highest since the previous February - but have since fell to about half of that number.

On Wednesday, the UAE announced it as to gradually lift Covid-19 capacity limits at shopping centres and other public places within days.

Dr Saif Al Dhaheri, official spokesman for the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, said venues would be allowed to operate at full occupancy by the middle of February.

During the country’s weekly coronavirus briefing, he said the directives related to “various economic, tourist and recreational facilities, shopping centres and means of transportation”.

Dr Al Dhaheri said individual emirates would to allowed to set capacity limits for weddings and funerals.

He called on members of the public to abide by green pass rules in place in the emirates in which they live.

Dr Farida Al Hosani, a government health spokeswoman, reiterated the importance of continuing to follow safety rules during the briefing.

“We urge community members to adhere to the precautionary measures, by wearing face masks, avoiding overcrowded places and constantly sanitising,” she said.

“The health of our community is a priority and is everyone’s responsibility."

While praising the success of the UAE's inoculation drives, she said the commitment of the public remained integral to the country's recovery.

“The vaccine is not a substitute for adhering to relevant precautionary measures, such as wearing face masks, respecting social distancing and sanitising, among other protocols,” she said.