Coronavirus: UAE records 541 new Covid-19 cases and seven deaths

The country has recorded 89 deaths and 2,181 recoveries since the outbreak began

Shoppers with face masks and gloves to protect against Covid-19, in Abu Dhabi's Mussafah 32 area. Victor Besa / The National

Abdul Aziz, a watch salesman at the City Night gift shop, Mussafah 32, wears a mask as protection against Covid-19. Victor Besa / The National

Staff and customers with face masks at a mobile phone shop at Mussafah 32. Victor Besa / The National

A mobile phone shop customer at Mussafah 32 area. Victor Besa / The National

A barrier along the Baniyas road entrance to the quarantined Al Ras area in Deira, Dubai, early in the pandemic. Antonie Robertson/The National

Dubai's Al Ras area was locked down for almost a month in April 2020 and widespread testing conducted, due to concerns about potential cases in the area. Antonie Robertson/The National

A sign makes Covid-19 instructions clear, as a passenger waits for a train on the Dubai Metro. AP Photo

Pedestrians walk through a traditional Dubai souq where many shops had closed temporarily due to Covid-19, early in the pandemic. AP Photo

Passengers adhere to social distancing as they enter a train on the Dubai Metro. AFP

Dubai Metro passengers keep a safe distance. AFP

The barrier along the Baniyas Road entrance to the quarantined Al Ras area in Deira, Dubai, in April 2020. Antonie Robertson / The National

Staff working on an ICU ward treating Covid-19 patients, at the Prime Hospital, in Al Garhoud, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

The UAE has identified 541 new cases of coronavirus, after conducting a further 25,000 tests across the country.

The figures, revealed on Tuesday, bring the country's total number of cases to 11,380. The Ministry of Health and Prevention said seven people died of complications, since yesterday's announcement, and 91 patients have fully recovered.

The UAE has recorded 89 deaths and 2,181 recoveries since the outbreak began.

The ministry said the new Covid-19 patients were undergoing treatment and offered its condolences to the families of the dead.

The UAE has conducted more than a million coronavirus tests, placing the country third worldwide for most testing per 1m population – as of April 27. Only Iceland and the Faroe Islands have carried out more Covid-10 tests per 1m people.

The mass testing is part of the UAE's strategy to identify cases as early as possible, then isolate and treat patients to avoid them spreading the disease to others.

“Increased Covid-19 testing helps us to be proactive in identifying cases, particularly those who are asymptomatic,” Abdulrahman Al Owais, the Minster of Health and Prevention, said during a regular briefing on Saturday.

“It is natural that the increase in screening is accompanied by an increase in the number of new cases.

“This is an indication that we are on the right path to reduce the spread of the virus.”