Coronavirus: UAE announces 293 new cases

Officials said 1,036 more people had also recovered from the infection

A man carries a young girl on his shoulders, in Ankara, Turkey. AP Photo

People use disinfectant at the entrance of a public garden, in Ankara, Turkey. AP Photo

A man purchases vegetables at a wholesale market in Manama, Bahrain. Reuters

A patient who has recovered from the coronavirus disease donates her plasma for research purposes at the National Blood Transfusion Service in Cairo, Egypt. Reuters

A man receives medicine at a medical centre in Cairo, Egypt. Reuters

Iraqis walk along a street in the capital Baghdad. AFP

Vehicles stuck in traffic along al-Sa'adun street in Baghdad, Iraq. EPA

Iraqi men sell watermelons at a market in the city of Najaf, Iraq. Reuters

A butcher cuts meat at his stand, in Manama, Bahrain. Reuters

A woman shops at a supermarket in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Reuters

A worker sterilises tables at a restaurant in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Reuters

Lab technicians work on samples from suspected coronavirus patients at a laboratory in Sanaa, Yemen. EPA

UAE authorities announced 293 new cases of coronavirus on Friday, taking the total number of infections in the country since the pandemic began to 56,422.

Officials also said an additional 1,036 people had recovered from the virus, and that two further patients had died.

More than 8,300 Covid-19 cases remain active in the Emirates while more than 4.3 million residents have been tested.

Officials said some 48,000 tests were carried out in the last 24-hours and only one patient remained in a critical condition.

A total of 337 people have now died from the virus in the UAE, while globally the figure is more than 592,000.

News of the UAE case numbers came as officials announced members of the public in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain could now register to take part in a clinical trial aimed at finding a vaccine for Covid-19.

Authorities are hoping 15,000 people living in the two cities can be persuaded to volunteer for three to six months.

Almost anyone between the ages of 18 and 60 is able to sign up to the trial provided they pass a thorough medical exam.

Volunteers can register on the government website 4humanity.ae or by ringing 02 819 1111.

“Your participation in these vital Phase-III trials can play a massive role in helping to overcome the global Covid-19 pandemic,” a statement on the website reads.

“In the weeks ahead, as you help us in this important initiative, we wanted to reassure you that your safety will always come first.”