The UAE reported 1,153 new cases of Covid-19 on Thursday, taking the country's total infections to 155,254. Since Wednesday, 932 patients have recovered, adding to a tally of 146,469. And authorities said two people died of related complications, raising the death toll to 544. The number of active cases now stands at 8,241, after dropping to below 2,000 at the start of November. Thursday's new cases were identified from another 120,041 tests carried out across the country. The UAE has conducted more than 15.4 million Covid-19 tests since the first cases were reported in January. As the country approaches its holiday season, beginning with Commemoration Day on December 1, authorities have urged the public to abide by Covid-19 safety measures. The pandemic will require residents to put safety first when the country unites for National Day on December 2, officials said. Christmas and New Year are also typically marked in jubilant style across the Emirates – but officials have called for caution to help curb the spread of the virus. "We stress the importance of adhering to the precautionary and preventive measures guide for various activities in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic," a government spokesman said. Key guidelines were set out for holiday celebrations, including a limit on gatherings for firework displays, the cancellation of workplace parties and the need for official approval for the hosting of music concerts and other live events. The exchange of gifts and food will be prohibited during the upcoming festivities. This week, a study showed that more than 40 per cent of Covid-19 infections in Abu Dhabi involved patients displaying no symptoms. The research, based on 791 cases reported to health authorities in the capital between February and April, highlighted the risk of so-called "silent spreaders". The report – compiled by eight scientists from Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi and UAE University in Al Ain – indicated that the UAE's mass testing and tracing strategy had played a key role in identifying large numbers of Covid-19 carriers while they were pre-symptomatic. The study found that older people had a higher risk of developing symptoms, while those with serious health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure were more than 75 per cent more likely to suffer ill effects if they catch the coronavirus.
