Coronavirus: UAE records 2,018 new infections

UAE also administers 89,746 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine

Commuters wait for their bus outside the airconditioned bus stop along al Falah Street in central Abu Dhabi on a Friday afternoon All photos by. All photos by Victor Besa /The National

Mustaffa, eleven, waits for his bread to be baked with his uncle Abdul Qader outside the Naser Bader Bakery.

Abdul Rahman has been working at Naser Bader Bakery along Al Falah Street, Abu Dhabi for almost five years now.

The new air-conditioned bus stops around Abu Dhabi with Covid-19 restrictions.

Pedestrians cross the street at central Abu Dhabi on Friday afternoon.

Commuters get off the bus at Abu Dhabi on a Friday afternoon.

Commuters get off the bus at Abu Dhabi on a Friday afternoon.

E-scooter riders along Al Falah Street in central Abu Dhabi on a Friday afternoon.

The UAE recorded 2,018 Covid-19 infections on Tuesday bringing the number of cases since the pandemic was declared to 430,313.

A further 2,651 individuals recovered, bringing the total to 410,736.

The number of active cases stands at 18,808.

Four patients died, raising the toll across the Emirates to 1,406.

An additional 208,085 Covid-19 tests were carried out during the 24-hour reporting period.

Mass testing has been a central part of UAE efforts to curb the virus.

To date, more than 34 million PCR and DPI tests have been conducted, making the UAE one of the top global testers per capita.

Cases have reduced significantly since late January, when close to 4,000 infections were recorded every day.

The reduction has coincided with one of the fastest vaccination programmes in the world.

Authorities on Tuesday also announced that 89,746 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine were given in the previous 24 hours. The total number of doses administered so far stands at 6,66 million, representing 67.43 doses for every 100 people.

The country has also stepped up enforcement of rules designed to curb the virus, while traditional Ramadan tents have been banned this year.

Officials are also building seven field hospitals across the UAE to deal with severe cases.

Ajman opened one on Sunday, which has more than 200 beds, to treat patients with moderate and serious cases of Covid-19.

The network of field hospitals is operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Department of Health Abu Dhabi.