Coronavirus: Fall in new Covid-19 cases despite near-record day of testing

The UAE reported 2,087 new infections and 1,677 recoveries

Families walk in Umm Al Emarat Park in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Abu Dhabi private school staff wait to be vaccinated against Covid-19 as part of a drive organised by Adek. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge

A man receives a dose of a vaccine against Covid-19 at St Paul’s Church in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

A coronavirus vaccine shipment is unloaded from an Emirates aircraft at Dubai International Airport on February 1. The airline is part of the Vaccine Logistics Alliance, which also includes logistics giant DP World. AFP

A panel indicates the way to a Covid-19 vaccination centre set up at Dubai International Financial Centre. AFP

A woman waits for her turn at a vaccination centre at Dubai International Financial Centre. AFP

A man is registered before receiving a dose of vaccine at a centre in Dubai International Financial Centre. AFP

A health worker checks a man's temperature before he receives a dose of vaccine. AFP

A commuter wears a face mask while travelling on the Dubai Metro. AP

The UAE reported 2,087 new cases of Covid-19 on Thursday, taking the overall tally of infections to 419,996.

There were 1,677 new recoveries, raising the number of patients who have beaten the virus to 399,803.

Officials said 225,489 tests were carried out over the past 24 hours.

Another 16 people died, taking the death toll to 1,369.

The number of active cases increased to 18,824, as new cases have exceeded recoveries for the 14th consecutive day.

In new developments, a small-scale trial of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine in Abu Dhabi has shown 91.6 per cent efficacy, the government said on Thursday.

About 1,000 volunteers were part of the just concluded trial.

Officials said the interim results would be released in April.

As with many of the approved vaccines, it comprises two shots taken three weeks apart.

The Sputnik V trial in Abu Dhabi was much smaller than the 31,000-volunteer Sinopharm trial in the capital, which ran last autumn and led to the vaccine being approved and widely used.