UAE records 265 new Covid-19 cases

Another 368 people recovered during latest 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 265 new Covid-19 cases on Friday, raising its overall tally to 898,310.

Another 368 people recovered from the virus as this total climbed to 881,516.

No coronavirus-related deaths have been reported since March 7, with the toll standing at 2,302.

The latest infections were detected as a result of an additional 232,493 PCR tests.

More than 155.6 million tests have been carried out to date.

Mass screening of the public and a comprehensive vaccination campaign have been central to the UAE's recovery strategy.

Abu Dhabi's Emergency Crisis and Disasters Committee updated the emirate's Covid-19 protocols on Friday, approving a return to full operating capacity for all commercial activities, tourist attractions and events.

The authority also extended the validity of Al Hosn green pass to 30 days for those residents and citizens who are fully vaccinated. Green passes previously expired 14 days after receiving a negative PCR test result.

It also confirmed that face masks will still need to be worn in indoor spaces.

The authority said the updated measures will be effective immediately and are a response to the continued low rate of Covid-19 infections in the country.