Coronavirus: UAE records 1,717 new infections and 1,960 recoveries

Another 237,479 tests were carried out in the past 24 hours

A man receives Covid-19 vaccine at the MBRU a community mobile health clinic near the Al Waha Community on Nad Al Hamar Road in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Three-year-old Omar Al Mulla gets his saliva tested at the Biogenix lab at G42 in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Healthcare workers get sprayed with disinfectants after conducting free PCR test in downtown Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A sign asking customers to wear mask is seen in a tailor shop in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A hand sanitizer is placed at the newly opened Al Zahia City Centre in Sharjah. Pawan Singh / The National

Seats are blocked inside the family cinema at Al Zahia City Centre in Sharjah. Pawan Singh / The National

Floor signage for social distancing is seen at the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid & Development Conference in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Pedestrians cross the street in Abu Dhabi on a hazy afternoon. Victor Besa / The National

Commuters get on a bus at Hamdan St. in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A man wearing a face mask passes by a store in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A stoke keeper arranges the flowers at a Hindu flower shop in Bur Dubai. Reem Mohammed / The National

Staff prepare filter coffee at the One Degree Café in Margham area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A woman walks on the beach on a hazy sandy day in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The UAE reported 1,717 new cases of Covid-19 on Sunday, taking the overall tally of infections to 440,355.

There were 1,960 new recoveries, raising the number of patients who have beaten the virus to 422,696.

A further 237,479 tests were carried out over the past 24 hours. More than 35 million tests have been done since the first case was detected on January 29, 2020.

Another five patients died, increasing the number of fatalities to 1,438.

There are 16,221 active cases of Covid-19 in the country.

Health officials on Sunday said 117,712 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine were given in the past 24 hours. So far, 7,298,768 vaccine doses have been administered.

The UAE's Ministry of Health and Prevention has urged all Emiratis and eligible residents to book appointments to receive the coronavirus vaccine.

Authorities said they are now expanding the country's vaccination programme after prioritising at-risk groups for the past six weeks.

The expanded inoculation campaign will start from Sunday.

Eligible citizens and residents aged 16 and above can now be inoculated free of charge at any of the 205 vaccination locations nationwide, the health ministry said in a statement.

Officials urged those requesting a vaccine to book in advance. Vulnerable people without appointments will continue to receive priority at walk-in clinics.

As new cases drop in the country, hospitals and day surgical centres in Dubai have resumed all non-essential surgery.

Medics can accept patients for elective surgeries from Sunday, although they must abide by the authority's rules on bed occupancy rates.

Hospitals have to retain inpatient and ICU beds for Covid-19 patients wherever necessary.