UAE reports 823 new Covid-19 cases

Nearly 179 million tests have been conducted since the start of the outbreak

The PCR testing centre in Dubai's Jafiliya area can carry out 1,000 tests a day. All photos: Ruel Pableo for The National

The centre can be easily reached by Dubai Metro.

The centre is open for walk-in appointments.

A health worker freezes a swab collected at the testing centre located in the car park of Dubai's main immigration office.

Tests cost Dh125, Dh80 for blue-collar workers.

The centre was set up by the Right Health group, which has opened affordable clinics for workers across the UAE.

Staff register people at the centre.

The centre will serve those that live in the neighbourhood.

A man fills in his details before having a PCR test.

Immigration staff are able to get tested for Dh65.

The centre is near the Jafiliya metro station.

The walk-in facility enables people to get tested quickly and easily.

The UAE reported 823 new Covid-19 cases on Friday after an additional 234,950 tests were carried out.

The new cases bring the country's overall tally of infections to 1,003,129.

There were no coronavirus-related deaths during the latest reporting period, with the toll standing at 2,339.

Recoveries reached 981,884 after another 819 people overcame the virus in the past 24 hours.

Nearly 180 million tests have been conducted since the start of the outbreak under a mass screening strategy aimed at limiting community transmission.

Case numbers have steadily declined in recent weeks following a surge in infection rates in June.

Authorities have urged the public to remain committed to Covid-19 safety measures, such as wearing masks when in indoor public settings and to follow isolation rules if infected.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon, chairman of the board of directors of the Frontline Heroes Office, on Friday praised the public's role in the fight against Covid-19, which he said has enabled the UAE to successfully carry out its treatment and prevention programme.

"Surpassing the one million mark for positive Covid-19 cases reaffirms the UAE's future emergency preparedness network and continued social and economic prosperity," he said.

"Our people responded by acting together as one.

"As a result, the UAE consistently ranked as having one of the lowest infection and mortality rates of any country in the world, and that’s what it’s all about, protecting the health and well-being of our people."