The UAE on Tuesday reported 1,260 new cases of Covid-19 raising the number of infections to 178,837. Another two people died increasing the fatality rate to 596. The figure comes after a huge 146,020 daily tests were carried out. Authorities said 584 have recovered from the virus, taking the number of recoveries to 160,295. Active cases stand at 17,946. Daily cases have exceeded 1,000 for the past seven weeks with 1,578 being the highest number of infections reported in one day, on October 22. The number of active cases has steadily risen since November 4, when 1,822 people were battling Covid-19. The UAE has carried out more than 17.6 million Covid-19 tests since the outbreak in one of the largest screening operations per capita worldwide. The new figures were announced as Abu Dhabi began trials for Russia's Sputnik V vaccine. At least 500 volunteers are being asked to participate. News of several effective vaccines have brought hope the pandemic may be at an end. Health authorities in the UK on Tuesday <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/europe/grandmother-90-becomes-first-patient-to-receive-covid-19-vaccine-as-v-day-arrives-in-uk-1.1124633">vaccinated</a> the first person against Covid-19.