Coronavirus: UAE records 179 new cases as 198 patients recover

Nearly 6,000 people are tested at the Ghantoot laser centre every day. Antonie Robertson / The National

Medics at the Ghantoot testing centre on the border between Dubai and Abu Dhabi use a laser technique to scan a blood sample for signs of surging red blood cells, which is an early sign the body is fighting off a virus. Antonie Robertson / The National

A medic testing a commuter for Covid-19. Antonie Robertson / The National

The results of the Diffractive Phase Interferometry test, or DPI, which detects viral presence in the blood, including Covid-19, are received in minutes via a text message. Antonie Robertson / The National

The test costs Dh50 and is very quick compared with the PCR test that can take time to get a result. Antonie Robertson / The National

The facility was set up to allow commuters who require a negative Covid-19 test to enter Abu Dhabi. Those with negative results can continue their journey. Antonie Robertson / The National

The UAE confirmed 179 new coronavirus cases on Monday, bringing the country's total to 62,704.

A further 198 people recovered from the virus, pushing the overall tally to 56,766.

The latest infections were identified after a further 58,953 tests were conducted.

There are currently 5,581 active cases in the country.

No new deaths linked to Covid-19 were reported over the past 24 hours.

Officials urged the public not to flout Covid-19 safety measures, after a 30 per cent surge in the number of Emiratis contracting the virus was reported during Eid Al Adha holidays.

“The increase we saw in Covid-19 cases was associated with social and family gatherings," said Dr Omar Al Hammadi, spokesman for the UAE Government. "

"Unlike people’s behaviour at public places, which is subject to mandatory measures like social distancing and face mask wearing, private and family gatherings are not.”

The UAE has also sent up more screening centres in Dubai that will offer a Dh50 test aimed at providing commuters travelling to Abu Dhabi a cheaper and faster way to enter the capital.

Drive-through facilities at Mina Rashid and Khawaneej were initially set up to perform PCR nasal swab tests for Dh370.

Now medics there will perform a rapid blood test that delivers results in less than five minutes.

The diffractive phase interferometry (DPI) test does not confirm if someone has Covid-19 – but does show whether the person's red blood cells are surging to fight off an illness.

The two expanded centres, near the Gold Souq and Dubai airport respectively, will take the pressure off a large screening centre at Ghantoot, near the Abu Dhabi-Dubai border, which has been booked up weeks in advance.