Coronavirus: UAE reports 3,539 new Covid-19 cases as infections exceed recoveries

Active cases up by more than 500, with 19,133 people infected with the virus

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 3,539 new cases of Covid-19 on Wednesday while 2,993 people were cleared of the virus – ending a 10-day streak of more daily recoveries than infections.

It raised total figures to 336,142 cases and 316,053 recoveries.

Nine patients died of related complications, increasing the death toll to 956. Seventeen people died on Tuesday, the deadliest day yet reported.

Active cases increased by more than 500, meaning 19,133 people currently have a positive coronavirus diagnosis.

Wednesday's new infections were detected after another 166,879 tests were carried out.

Almost 27.4 million DPI and PCR tests have been conducted in the country over the past year, making the UAE one of the top countries in the world for screenings per capita.

The UAE also ranks highly for most vaccine doses administered per population. More than 4.5 million doses have been administered since the country began its vaccination drive in December.

Another 157,414 were administered on Wednesday, raising the vaccination rate to 47.37 doses per 100 people.

The UAE authorised the use of four vaccines and appears on track to immunise at least 50 per cent of the population by the end of next month.

Authorities, meanwhile, tightened restrictions on public and private gatherings in an effort to bring infection rates back down.

On Wednesday, Ras Al Khaimah capped capacity limits on malls, gyms, pools, parks and beaches to between 50 per cent and 70 per cent.

No more than 10 family members can gather for a social event, while funerals are limited to 20 people.

Schools in Ajman extended online learning this week after opening for in-person classes for two weeks last month.

Private schools in Abu Dhabi are preparing to welcome pupils back to classrooms on Sunday. Lessons are scheduled to resume after being twice delayed since the start of the new term in January because of an increase in coronavirus infections.

Some pupils have not had in-person classes since March, 2020.