UAE records 2,084 Covid-19 cases and five deaths

A further 2,202 patients overcame the virus

All eligible citizens and residents in the UAE are now being encouraged to take the Covid-19 vaccine. Reuters

The UAE recorded 2,084 Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, as daily recoveries exceeded new infections for the 18th day running.

These latest figures bring the country's overall tally of cases to 461,444.

Another 2,202 patients beat the virus, taking the number of recoveries since the pandemic began to 445,355.

Five fatalities were recorded in the 24-hour reporting period, increasing the  death toll to 1,497.

The number of active cases in the country fell to 14,592.

An additional 244,422 tests were carried out.

Close to 37.6 million tests have been conducted across the Emirates since the outbreak began.

Mass screening remains central to the UAE's Covid-19 strategy, alongside widespread vaccination.

More than 8.2 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered since a national immunisation drive was launched in December.

At a briefing this week, a government official lauded the public for playing a vital role in limiting the spread of the pandemic.

Pandemic safety measures – including social distancing and quarantine protocols – had "reshaped" the lives of all sections of society, during an outbreak that has stretched for more than a year, said Mona Khalil, a government spokeswoman.

But the global health crisis showed citizens and residents alike were capable of overcoming such adversity.

"Emirati society has lived through many changes," said Ms Khalil.

"It has reshaped our lives. Social distancing and home quarantine are among the most important precautionary measures that have brought about a major change in the behaviour of the individual and society, with an increase in community solidarity."

Members of the public had embraced volunteering and showed a desire to help others grappling with the impact of Covid-19 – whether on physical or mental health or the financial fallout of the pandemic, said the official.

"Covid-19 has shed a light on the importance of solidarity," she said.