Testing revealed that 2,204 more people had the coronavirus on Wednesday, after almost a quarter of a million examinations were carried out across the country. The new infections, identified from 242,026 tests, took the total to 398,126. Another 1,693 people were cleared of the virus, taking recoveries to 417,909. Eight people died, increasing the death toll to 1,353. At least 18,430 people have Covid-19 – a figure last reported four weeks ago before a decline in active cases to 5,421 on February 25. Wednesday was the 13th day in a row that new cases exceeded recoveries. At the country's weekly briefing, health officials said they had noticed a fall in infection rates over the past two weeks. They said this signalled a step closer to a return to normal life. The briefing revealed that 55,966 rule breaches were detected across the country in February. Failure or refusal to wear masks was the most common offence, at 47 per cent, followed by shops and commercial establishments breaching precautionary measures, at 20.5 per cent. This was followed by a lack of commitment to physical distancing, at 17.5 per cent. Not complying with the number of people allowed in a single vehicle was at 8 per cent, while and gatherings were at 4.5 per cent. "We are witnessing a gradual decrease in the infection rates over the past two weeks," officials said. "[This is] a positive sign and a step to recovery and resuming normal life, which can be achieved by the co-operation and commitment of all." Seven field hospitals will open in the UAE this month with a total capacity of 2,058 beds, of which 292 are for critical cases. "Field hospitals provide exceptional treatment services [and] they are equipped with the latest medical supplies in accordance with the highest international medical standards to isolate the infected and provide them with appropriate treatment."
