Coronavirus: UAE records highest number of daily tests as infections drop to 851

New Covid-19 cases fell below 1,000 for the first time in five days

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 conducted its largest number of Covid-19 tests to date, as infections fell to their lowest level in six days.

Officials recorded 851 new Covid-19 cases, bringing the overall total to 91,469.

A further 868 patients were given the all-clear as the recovery tally climbed to 80,544.

One more patient died, raising the death toll in the Emirates to 412.

There are 10,513 patients currently receiving treatment for the virus across the country.

Authorities carried out 106,034 Covid-19 tests during the daily reporting period - close to 3,000 more than the previous high.

Close to 9.5 million tests have been conducted nationwide since the outbreak began.

Mass screening remains central to the UAE's Covid-19 strategy.

The cost of PCR tests has been reduced in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in recent weeks as authorities seek to limit the spread of the pathogen by detecting cases early.

The latest case figures are the lowest since Monday, September 21, when 679 infections were confirmed.

Daily infection rates had remained above 1,000 for the previous four days.

The average number of daily Covid-19 cases across the country over the past seven days stands at 936.

The average daily recovery total over the same period is 895.

Authorities are continuing to target Covid-19 rule-breakers in an effort to curb the spread of the virus.

Dubai's Department of Economic Development (Ded) announced on Sunday it had issued fines to 22 businesses and warned another two outlets for breaching safety measures.

Officials said 649 commercial premises were compliant with guidelines during the latest round of inspections.

The department has called on the public “to co-operate and contribute to keeping the emirate’s economy moving forward in spite of the pandemic threat”.

“Stern action will be taken against any non-compliance found during the inspections or that may be reported by consumers and the public,” it said.

Meanwhile, teams from Ded and Dubai Sports Council fined six sports venues over the weekend for breaching regulations.

They were punished for failing to maintain safe distances on site or enforce rules regarding the wearing of face masks.