Coronavirus: UAE records 483 new cases and 103 recoveries

Total of 8,238 cases have been reported in Emirates, with six more deaths

The Boardwalk on the Palm is closed off during the restrictions due to Covid-19 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Workers pray on the roof of a residential building near a mosque in Dubai. AFP

A Palestinian engineer, at the Palestine Polytechnic University in the West Bank town of Hebron, watches over a 3D printer during the manufacturing of face-shields. AFP

People wearing face masks walk in the symp market in Gaziosmanpasa in Istanbul. AFP

An advert spreading awareness against coronavirus is seen in Rabat, Morocco. AP Photo

A Palestinian worker wearing protective gear cares for zebras at the Qalqilya Zoo in the occupied West Bank, after the animal park was completely closed to visitors due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. AFP

A busy street in Baghdad ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan after the easing of the curfew imposed by authorities. AFP

Anti-government protesters run for cover during skirmishes with shop owners near Baghdad’s Tahrir Square. Retailers quarreled with demonstrators after attempting to re-open their businesses as Iraq relaxed coronavirus-related curfew hours ahead of Ramadan. AP Photo

A woman wearing a protective face mask sits inside an empty metro train, as she travels on a line Shubra Al Khaimah to Tahrir Square, before the start of a night-time curfew amid concerns over the spread of the coronavirus disease, on the outskirts of Cairo. Reuters

A Libyan man wearing the red jumpsuit and Dali mask of the Spanish Netflix hit series La Casa de Papel (Money Heist) gestures as he performs a trick on his all-terrain vehicle (ATV) in Libya's eastern city of Benghazi. AFP

A Kuwaiti woman wearing a protective face mask poses as she shows her quarantine tracking bracelet upon her arrival from Amman to Kuwait Airport. Reuters

A Kuwaiti doctor prepares her station ahead of the arrival of a planeload of repatriated Kuwaiti citizens at a makeshift field testing centre, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease, at Kuwait Airport, Kuwait. Reuters

Yemenis make a disinfection chamber amid concerns over the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19, at a workshop in Sanaa, Yemen. EPA

Deserted streets in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah. AFP

Deserted streets in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah. AFP

The UAE recorded 483 new cases of Covid-19 on Wednesday and confirmed six more people had died after contracting the virus.

Another 103 people have recovered from the disease, bringing the total number of patients given the all-clear to 1,546.

The UAE has confirmed 8,238 cases of coronavirus since the start of the outbreak. The death toll is now 52.

Dr Farida Al Hosani, spokeswoman for the UAE health sector, delivered a message to communities preparing to observe Ramadan.

Dr Al Hosani said the country was preparing for an unfamiliar Ramadan because of restrictions placed on travel and gatherings of people to stem the spread of Covid-19.

"This year will be very different for all of us," she said. "The safety of everybody is the priority. We must adopt our social practices."

Dr Al Hosani said large gatherings of family and friends for iftars and suhoor, a staple part of Emirati tradition, unfortunately must be missed this year for the good of society.

She called on residents to stay home, eat well and exercise during the holy month.

Dr Al Hosani said residents should stay in contact with relatives and friends from outside through phone and video calls.

"Ramadan is an opportunity for us to protect our health and all those around us," she said.

"It is important for us to continue to adopt precautionary measures, such as physical distancing, and wash surfaces and our hands and avoid gatherings."

Imam Abdul Rahman Al Shamsi, spokesman for the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, said Ramadan would this year be marked in "unprecedented times" for the world.

Mr Al Shamsi said online platforms will be available for preaching services and to learn of the teachings of the Quran.

Fatwa Majalis will be held on Instagram and programmes will be broadcast on radio on a range of religious subjects.

Issa Al Hashemi, spokesman for the Emirates Council for Food Security, assured residents that the country was "giving great significance and priority" to food supplies.

Mr Al Hashemi said the country's food stock remained healthy and "capable of meeting all needs of the public".

Task forces had been set up to ensure food was available, from local producers and imported, during a challenging time.

Mr Al Hashemi said authorities were ensuring all essential food supplies were readily available, including those traditionally eaten during Ramadan.