UAE records 2,304 Covid-19 cases on largest testing day to date

A further 2,428 patients overcame the virus

A medical worker puts away a Covid-19 swab test at one of the Mussaffah testing facilities. Victor Besa / The National

An Abu Dhabi resident goes for a jog along the Corniche in the capital as the government eases movement restrictions. Victor Besa / The National

Abu Dhabi residents wear mandatory masks as they walk in the city. Victor Besa / The National

Safety instructions are on display outside Al Awir fruit and vegetable market in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A person wearing protective face mask and covering his face with laptop bag on a hot day in Bur Dubai area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Indian citizens queue to check in at the Dubai International Airport before leaving the UAE on a flight back to their home country on May 7. Inbound flights for UAE residents have also begun operating from select cities. Karim Sahim / AFP 

Passengers from an Emirates flight from London queue before being checked by health workers at Dubai International Airport on May 8. Karim Sahib / AFP

Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi has reopened to the public but with safety measures in place to protect shoppers and staff from contracting Covid-19. Victor Besa / The National

Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi has reopened to the public from 12pm to 9pm. Measures remain in place to keep shoppers and staff safe. Victor Besa / The National

Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi will be open from midday to 9pm. Supermarkets and pharmacies will be open from 9am to midnight. Victor Besa / The National

Workers pass by Al Mina vegetables and fruits market in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A security guard is given a free Covid-19 test at one of the Mussaffah testing centres. Victor Besa / The National

Workers line up to receive a coronavirus test at the Mussaffah industrial area in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

The UAE reported 2,304 Covid-19 cases on Saturday, its highest number of daily infections since March 9.

This latest figure brought the country's overall tally to 453,069.

Another 2,428 people were given the all-clear, as the recovery total climbed to 436,463.

Five patients died, taking the death toll to 1,477.

The number of active cases fell to 15,129 – thanks to recoveries surpassing new infections for the 14th day running.

The rise in daily cases came on the largest single day of testing to date.

An additional 248,372 tests were conducted during the 24-hour reporting period.

More than 36.7 million tests have been carried out nationwide since the outbreak began.

Mass screening remains an integral part of the UAE's fight against coronavirus.

Daily testing rates have increased sharply during the course of the pandemic.

More than 200,000 tests have been conducted daily on all but four days in March.

Last week, Abu Dhabi cut the cost of PCR tests from Dh85 ($23.14) to Dh65.

At the start of the outbreak, the standard price for a PCR test in the UAE was Dh370.

Unvaccinated employees working in five industries across the country must take a PCR test every 14 days, under new rules which come into force on Sunday.

The measure applies to anyone employed by hotels, restaurants, transport companies, laundries and beauty salons and hairdressers.

It is part of plans to "limit the spread of the virus, preserve the health of employees and keep work environments safe," said the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

On Saturday, health officials announced an additional 160,165 doses of vaccine had been administered, raising the total to 7,959,682.

The overall tally equates to 80.48 doses per 100 people, a rate surpassed across the world only by Israel.