UAE reports 693 new Covid-19 cases

Another 659 people recovered from the virus in the 24-hour reporting period

Al Wahda Mall security staff check the Al Hosn app of visitors at the entrance. All photos: Victor Besa / The National

The UAE has passed the 1 million mark for Covid-19 cases.

More than 184 million tests have been conducted to date.

The UAE is the 68th country to exceed 1 million infections, data shows.

Case numbers in the Emirates have declined in recent weeks after a surge in infection rates in June.

Mass screening and an extensive vaccination strategy have been key to efforts to curb the spread of the virus.

There have been more than 590 million cases across the world.

Stay-at-home measures and deep-cleaning operations were introduced in the early stages of the outbreak.

Offices and schools were closed as a precautionary measure and flights were grounded when the coronavirus first broke out in early 2020.

Authorities introduced physical distancing and made the wearing of face masks in public mandatory.

Safety measures have been gradually eased in recent months to support a return to normality.

The UAE recorded 693 Covid-19 cases on Friday, raising its overall tally to 1,008,435.

Another 659 people overcame the virus, as the number of recoveries climbed to 986,671.

There were no coronavirus-related deaths in the 24-hour reporting period, with the toll remaining at 2,341.

The number of active cases stands at 19,333.

The latest infections were detected as a result of an additional 230,589 PCR tests.

More than 181.4 million tests have been conducted to date.

A robust screening strategy remains key to the UAE's fight against the pandemic.

Testing levels across the country are still high ― typically exceeding 200,000 a day ― and reached a peak period in January when they topped 500,000.

A new drive-through Covid-19 testing centre has been set up at a hospital in Al Ain.

The mobile service will complement existing coronavirus screening services at Al Wagan Hospital.

The centre has been launched by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, more widely known as Seha.

Daily case numbers have steadily declined in recent weeks, remaining below 1,000 since August 5.