Coronavirus: UAE reports 2,250 new cases, the lowest number reported in February

There are 9,603 active cases – the first time numbers have fallen below 10,000 since the start of the year

Families walk in Umm Al Emarat Park in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Abu Dhabi private school staff wait to be vaccinated against Covid-19 as part of a drive organised by Adek. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge

A man receives a dose of a vaccine against Covid-19 at St Paul’s Church in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

A coronavirus vaccine shipment is unloaded from an Emirates aircraft at Dubai International Airport on February 1. The airline is part of the Vaccine Logistics Alliance, which also includes logistics giant DP World. AFP

A panel indicates the way to a Covid-19 vaccination centre set up at Dubai International Financial Centre. AFP

A woman waits for her turn at a vaccination centre at Dubai International Financial Centre. AFP

A man is registered before receiving a dose of vaccine at a centre in Dubai International Financial Centre. AFP

A health worker checks a man's temperature before he receives a dose of vaccine. AFP

A commuter wears a face mask while travelling on the Dubai Metro. AP

The UAE reported 2,250 new cases of Covid-19 on Sunday –  the lowest number reported on any day this month.

Officials announced 3,684 new recoveries, exceeding the number of new cases by more than 1,400.

There are now 9,603 active cases in the UAE – the first time this number has fallen below 10,000 since the beginning of the year.

Another 17 patients died, increasing the number of deaths to 1,125.

The total tally of Covid-19 infections since the outbreak of the pandemic now stands at 370,425, with 359,697 patients having beaten the virus.

The Emirates carried out 197,701 tests in the past 24 hours. More than 29.3 million tests have been conducted since the beginning of the pandemic.

As of Sunday, 5,554,342 doses of vaccine had been administered to the public, representing 56.16 doses per 100 people.

Officials said 951 vaccines were distributed in the past 24 hours.

In new safety measures, all Abu Dhabi private school pupils aged 12 and over who have chosen face-to-face learning will need to undergo Covid-19 swab tests every 14 days, the Department of Education and Knowledge announced.

Abu Dhabi’s private education regulator also instructed teachers and staff to undergo swab tests every two weeks, in order to be permitted on school premises.

Swab tests will be provided free of charge on specific dates for each school, at designated screening centres.

On Saturday, Adek said regular inspections would be carried out at private schools and nurseries in Abu Dhabi to ensure they comply with Covid-19 safety measures.

Schools and nurseries found flouting the rules face fines of between Dh10,000 ($2,722) and Dh250,000.