Coronavirus: UAE records 1,735 new cases, 3 deaths

Shop signs in Dubai give instructions to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A woman waits to be tested by medical staff wearing protective equipment, amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak, at the Cleveland Clinic hospital in Abu Dhabi. REUTERS

A billboard urges people to stay home during the coronavirus pandemic in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. AP

Hospital staff prepare meals for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) positive patients, at the Cleveland Clinic hospital in Abu Dhabi. REUTERS

Nurse Josna Job holds the Sinopharm vaccine at Zulekha Hospital, Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A healthcare worker conducts a coronavirus test at a drive-through centre in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The UAE Ministry of Health announced 1,735 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday, bringing the country's total number of infections to 534,445.

Three more people died from complications caused by the coronavirus, taking the death toll to 1,610.

Another 1,701 people overcame the virus, increasing the total number of recoveries to 514,769.

The number of active cases stands at 18,066.

The country's Health Ministry conducted 200,648 tests in the past 24 hours.

A further 78,342 Covid-19 vaccine doses were given in the last 24 hours. The UAE has administered 11.1 million vaccine doses – which represents 112.50 doses per 100 people.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation approved China's Sinopharm vaccine for emergency use, recommending it for adults aged 18 years and older in a two-dose schedule, with a spacing of three to four weeks.

The Sinopharm vaccine was registered by the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on December 9, following a large-scale local trial.

It has since been approved for use in more than 30 countries, including Hungary, Serbia and several countries across Asia, Africa and South America.

The vaccine is produced locally in the UAE at Emirati drug maker Julphar's plant in Ras Al Khaimah under the brand name Hayat-Vax.

The WHO has previously given emergency approval to Covid-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and, last week, Moderna.