UAE reports 1,666 new Covid-19 cases

Another 1,792 people recovered from the virus and no deaths were reported

People waiting for their turn to get the Covid-19 vaccine at the Ajman Society of Social and Cultural Development. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National

People arrive at the vaccination centre to receive shots of either Sinopharm or Pfizer-BioNTech.

Rashid Al Shamsi after getting his Covid-19 vaccine shot at the centre.

People in Ajman have responded to government calls to support the nationwide vaccination drive.

A man receives the Covid-19 vaccine at the Ajman Society of Social & Cultural Development centre.

Numbers of Emiratis getting vaccinated at the Ajman centre have increased significantly in recent months.

Muna Saqr Al Matrooshi, general director of Ajman Society of Social and Cultural Development, has welcomed the rise in Emiratis being vaccinated at the centre.

The UAE recorded 1,666 new Covid-19 cases on Friday, raising its overall tally to 959,736.

Another 1,792 people overcame the virus as the recovery total climbed to 940,053.

No coronavirus-related deaths were reported in the 24-hour reporting period, with the toll remaining at 2,322.

The number of active cases dropped to 17,361 thanks to recoveries exceeding new infections on Friday.

The latest cases were detected as a result of 286,631 PCR tests.

More than 172 million tests have been conducted since the start of the pandemic in line with a comprehensive screening strategy aimed at limiting community transmission.

Case numbers have been on the rise in recent weeks, after falling below 200 in early May.

However, daily infection rates have now fallen for the past five days, having topped 1,800 on Sunday.

Authorities have set out key Covid-19 rules to bolster public safety during the Eid Al Adha holiday.

Members of the public have been advised to be tested for the virus no more than 72 hours before taking part in gatherings to protect the health of friends and family members, especially the elderly.

During a televised coronavirus briefing on Monday, it was announced that the duration for prayers at mosques during the holiday period would be set at 20 minutes.

Worshippers should wear masks and maintain a distance of one metre from each other.

There should be no handshakes between worshippers.

Police patrols and volunteers will manage the entry and exit of people into mosques.

People returning from Hajj should follow precautionary measures and stay at home for seven days after arrival, the briefing heard.

Conducting a PCR test on return from Saudi Arabia to airports in the UAE will be optional but is mandatory if there is a suspected case of Covid-19.

A test will be mandatory, however, for all pilgrims on the fourth day of their return or as soon as symptoms appear.