Coronavirus: UAE records 705 new cases from 82,333 tests

There was one death due to complications of the virus and 494 further recoveries

A model of a transformer robot wears a mask and carries a sign saying 'Stay home' outside a shop in Ras Al Khaimah. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National

A cleaner disinfects different surfaces at the H Hotel in Dubai.

Tailor Zeeshan Javed makes a pair of trousers in his workshop with protection measures in place.

A lifeguard watches over the pool at the H Hotel in Dubai.

An employee at Century Financial in Dubai sterilises a conference room.

A manager at Stone Grey, a tailoring business, rearranges dresses.

A hotel receptionist works behind a plastic partition at the H Hotel in Dubai.

Two colleagues keep a safe distance at Century Financial in Dubai.

Motorists get laser based DPI tests at the Mina Rashid screening centre in Dubai.

Motorists get laser based DPI tests at the Mina Rashid screening centre in Dubai.

Motorists get laser based DPI tests at the Mina Rashid screening centre in Dubai.

The UAE reported 705 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday, taking the total number of infections to 73,471.

Officials said 82,333 tests had been carried out across the country.

One more death was reported, taking the overall death toll to 388.

A further 494 recoveries were announced with 63,652 people having been given the all clear so far.

The number of new cases has been increasing since August 19, when the country recorded 435 new infections.

However, the steepest increase came this week, with 541 cases on August 31, rising to 735 cases by September 2.

Until then, the UAE had not exceeded 700 daily Covid-19 infections since July 4.

Earlier this week authorities urged the public not to panic about the recent surge in cases.

"We demonstrated in the early stages of the pandemic that when all of us as a community apply these precautionary measures, we sail through it with flying colours," Dr Anwar Sallam, chief medical officer of Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha) told The National. 

"I would highly advocate that we first of all not panic or be scared that the numbers are increasing, but rather look back and revisit to what extent we are adhering to those precautionary measures."

Authorities have said social gatherings and a lack of adherence to personal safety measures are both contributing to the rise in cases.

The highest daily figure for the UAE stands at 994 on May 2, with the lowest at 164 on August 3.

There are heavy penalties in place for people breaching safety measures, including a Dh3,000 fine for not wearing a face mask or physical distancing.

The organisers of gatherings are fined Dh10,000, with those attending charged Dh5,000.