Another 1,194 cases of Covid-19 were detected on Sunday after 143,781 tests were carried out. The new infections took the country's tally to 184,949 since the first cases were reported in late January. Authorities said 631 people were cleared of Covid-19, taking the recovery total to 163,679. Eight patients died of related complications, taking the death toll to 617. The number of of people across the Emirates with Covid-19 is 20,653 – the highest number of active cases to date. As Abu Dhabi prepares to <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/government/coronavirus-abu-dhabi-plans-to-remove-most-restrictions-within-two-weeks-1.1125419">lift most coronavirus restrictions</a>, authorities have assured that this would be balanced by "additional precautions", such as an increase in testing. Last week, Abu Dhabi Emergency Crisis and Disasters Committee said the emirate would resume “all economic, tourism, cultural and entertainment activities” within two weeks. Police officials said there were no plans yet to stop checks at the border, where drivers entering from Dubai must present a negative PCR nasal swab test. Testing has soared in recent days as part of the country's mass early detection strategy that aims to prevent the virus spreading. More than 19 million Covid-19 tests have been carried out nationwide since the outbreak. The cost of a PCR nasal swab fell from Dh370 at the start of the outbreak to Dh85 this month. Access to testing has also been widened through the introduction of drive-through screening centres, programmes in densely populated districts and the roll-out of testing facilities in malls. Last week, the Emirates officially registered China's Sinopharm vaccine for public use. The Ministry of Health and Prevention said it approved a request from the Chinese drug manufacturer in a "major step" towards combating the pandemic. The vaccine was found to be 86 per cent effective against coronavirus in Phase 3 trials. One of the country's largest hospital groups said it was expecting to <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/health/uae-hospital-group-gears-up-to-deliver-5-000-covid-19-vaccine-shots-per-day-1.1127495">deliver up to 5,000 Covid-19 shots per day</a>. VPS Healthcare, chosen to help the government distribute China's Sinopharm vaccine, said the 18 hospitals and clinics it runs would have doses available. Vaccinations can be booked, free of charge, across the UAE.
