UAE reports 400 new Covid-19 cases

Another 428 people beat the virus in the past 24 hours

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 reported 400 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday after an additional 218,081 tests were carried out in the past 24 hours.

This brings the country's overall tally of infections to 1,020,025.

No deaths were reported in the 24-hour reporting period, with the toll remaining at 2,342.

Another 428 people beat the virus and total recoveries rose to 999,668.

More than 186 million PCR tests have been conducted since the start of the pandemic and nearly 25 million vaccine doses have been administered to date.

Case numbers have been on the decline for several months and on Monday infections dropped below 400, the lowest in more than 14 weeks.

Meanwhile, a global initiative was launched on Thursday to send Covid-19 antiviral drugs to low-income countries in Africa and South-East Asia to help save lives of those infected with the disease.

The Covid Treatment Quick Start Consortium, which will help distribute the drugs in 10 poorer nations, is supported by organisations including a foundation set up by Bill Clinton, the former US president.

Organisers hope the consortium will ensure that governments in the countries involved will be able to immediately give antiviral drugs to patients most at risk if they develop Covid-19.