The UAE recorded 1,161 Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, raising its total to 137,310. A further 1,493 patients were given the all-clear as the recovery tally climbed to 134,983. Two more patients died after contracting the virus, moving the death toll in the Emirates to 505. The latest cases were identified following an additional 116,083 daily tests. More than 13.5 million tests have been conducted since the outbreak began. Mass screening of the public remains an integral part of the UAE's strategy to limit the spread of the virus. The number of active cases fell to 1,822, thanks to an ongoing trend of daily recoveries exceeding new infections. Recovery figures have remained above 1,000 each day for more than five weeks. As well as seeking to limit infection rates across the Emirates, the UAE has also played a significant role in the development of a vaccine to guard against the pathogen. Abu Dhabi’s police chief has spoken of his pride after being immunised against Covid-19. Abu Dhabi Police chief, Maj Gen Maktoum Al Sharifi and fellow department heads at the force became the latest officials in the country to take China’s Sinopharm vaccine. “Abu Dhabi Police believes in the importance of collective efforts spent in protecting our society from all risks. It is a national responsibility,” he said. The country hosted a Phase-3 trial which involved 31,000 volunteers in the Emirates, Bahrain and Jordan. The jab has since been administered to frontline medical workers, senior officials and some members of the Cabinet, after it received approval from the UAE Government in September for limited use. On Tuesday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, announced he had been vaccinated. Global infections approached 48 million on Wednesday, with more than 1.2 million deaths recorded. Close to 34.5 million people have recovered from infection.
