The UAE reported 674 new cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday. The total tally of infections now stands at 80,949. There were 654 new recoveries during the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of patients who beat the virus to 70,635. The country carried out 86,879 additional tests in the past 24 hours. Health officials also reported two deaths, pushing the number of mortalities to 401. On Monday, the UAE approved the use of a Covid-19 vaccine for frontline workers after conducting successful clinical trials in Abu Dhabi. The country’s Health Minister, Abdulrahman Al Owais, said the inactive vaccine could be used in "cases of emergency" to protect healthcare workers. He said the vaccine is safe to use after it was tested on 31,000 volunteers. Those who were a part of the trial only felt minor side-effects, such as a sore throat. The price of Covid-19 tests have also been slashed in the country to encourage more people to get tested. On Sunday, Dubai announced that a Covid test would now cost Dh250 - reduced from Dh350. It followed a similar step taken by the country's largest healthcare provider Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, or Seha, to bring costs down from Dh370. Those looking to get tested will now pay Dh250 at all its drive through and walk-in test sites.
