Coronavirus: UAE records 1,312 Covid-19 cases as 1,500 recover

A further three patients died after contracting the virus

A health worker conducts a Covid-19 test on a man at a temporary screening centre in Ahmedabad. AFP

Brazilian vendors protest against the government's labour restrictions to curb the spread of the new coronavirus pandemic, and unemployment, at a bus terminal in Brasilia, Brazil. AP

People queue for free meals in front of a charitable restaurant in Ahmedabad. AFP

Pedestrians walk past a sign for a Covid-19 test centre in Southend-on-Sea, east of London. AFP

Passangers arriving at Helsinki-Vantaa airport in Vantaa, Finland. Eased travel restrictions allow visitors from Germany, Sweden and other countries to arrive in Finland. EPA

A general view of the departure hall at Helsinki-Vantaa airport in Vantaa, Finland following the easing of travel restrictions that allows visitors from Germany, Sweden and other low-risk countries to arrive in the country. EPA

Shoppers wearing face masks walk along Oxford street in central London amid a second wave of the coronavirus outbreak in the UK. AFP

Monsignor Gerard de Korte leads a national memorial service for victims of the global coronavirus pandemic in St John's Cathedral in Den Bosch, The Netherlands. EPA

A man makes his purchases in the streets of Vallecas neighbourhood, in Madrid. EPA

People queue to receive food at San Ramon Nonato Catholic parish in Puente de Vallecas district in Madrid, Spain. AP

Fans arrive inside the stadium ahead of the Bundesliga match between SV Werder Bremen and Hertha BSC at Wohninvest Weserstadion in Bremen, Germany. Getty

The UAE recorded 1,312 Covid-19 cases on Thursday, bringing its total to 130,336.

A further 1,500 patients were given the all-clear as the recovery tally moved to 126,147.

The death toll in the Emirates rose to 488 after three more patients died.

The latest cases were identified as a result of 130,573 tests, one of the largest daily totals recorded since the outbreak began.

Close to 13 million tests have been conducted nationwide to date.

The Ministry of Health said it was stepping up testing rates as part of efforts to limit the spread of the virus.

The number of active cases across the country fell to 3, 701, thanks to a growing trend of recoveries exceeding new cases.

Case numbers have remained above 1,000 for all but two days of October, including a record-high of 1,578 on October 22.

Recovery rates have consistently outstripped new cases, however, topping 1,000 every day this month.

As well as driving forward with a mass screening strategy to combat the virus, the UAE is playing a key role in plans to deliver a Covid-19 vaccine.

On Wednesday, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak became the latest Cabinet minister to receive a Covid-19 vaccine, which is undergoing Phase 3 trial in the UAE.

State news agency Wam published pictures on Wednesday of the Minister of Tolerance receiving the vaccine, manufactured by the Chinese drug maker Sinopharm.

A nationwide campaign has been launched to ensure families of Emirati servicemen killed in the line of duty receive Covid-19 vaccination.

The Martyrs' Families Affairs Office at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court will oversee the initiative in partnership with the emirate's Department of Health.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon, executive director of the office, said the project was in line with the aims of UAE leadership to provide ongoing support to loved ones of those who lost their lives serving their country.