The UAE recorded 1,083 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, its highest daily total since the outbreak began. A further 970 patients were given the all-clear as the overall recovery tally climbed to 76,995. One patient died as the death toll moved to 406. The latest infections bring the country's total number of cases to 87,530. There are 10,129 patients currently receiving treatment for the virus. The average number of daily infections in the past seven days stands at 821. While case numbers have been trending upward in recent weeks, the number of patients beating the virus has also increased sharply. The average number of recoveries in the same seven-day period is 791. It is the second time daily figures have topped 1,000 since the UAE reported its first coronavirus infections in late January. Officials reported 1,007 cases on September 12. The UAE did, however, complete 103,199 Covid-19 tests in the 24-hour reporting period, beating the previous high of 103,124 announced on Saturday. A mass screening strategy is central to the nation's efforts to combat the pandemic. At a media briefing on Tuesday, a government spokesman said the Emirates was leading the way for global testing rates. Dr Omar Al Hammadi said a daily average of more than 65,000 tests were conducted in August, representing 658 tests per 100,000 population. More than nine million tests have been carried out across the country. Dr Al Hammadi stressed the importance of avoiding large gatherings – both at home and when visiting venues such as restaurants and malls – to drive down infection rates. "We are concerned about gatherings not only of families, and indoors, but the measures applicable to restaurants and shopping centres and commercial premises," he said. "It is one concept, one measure for all. "We call on all families, businesses and institutions to comply with precautionary measures. "What is important is individual duty and responsibility to avoid spreading the virus. "Our role is to be vigilant, avoid crowded places, practise social distancing. "We are all witnessing violations by restaurants and others."
