Coronavirus: UAE records 614 Covid-19 cases as recoveries exceed new infections

The UAE recorded 614 Covid-19 cases on Thursday, bringing its total to 72,154. Recoveries outstripped new infections as 639 more patients beat the virus, pushing the overall tally to 62,668. The death toll in the Emirates remains at 387 after no patients died during the 24-hour reporting period. The latest cases were detected after an additional 67,821 tests were conducted. The UAE has carried out more than 7.3 million tests since the outbreak began as part of a sustained mass screening strategy. There are 9,099 active Covid-19 cases across the country. Thursday's Covid-19 figures represent a significant reduction on the 735 cases confirmed on Wednesday, which was the highest number since May 27. Infection rates have been steadily on the rise in recent weeks, prompting calls from officials for residents to recommit to safety measures such as the wearing of face masks and social distancing measures. The average daily case total over the past seven days stands at 520. Infection rates were as low as 164 on August 3 but have not fallen below 300 since August 24. On Wednesday, Dr Anwar Sallam, chief medical officer of Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha), which runs the capital's public hospitals, said the increase in daily figures came as a result of people failing to abide by precautionary measures. "Unfortunately, the numbers are gradually increasing, which is an expected consequence when the public ease on precautionary measures," he said. He called on the public to come together to help contain the virus, as they did in the early stages of the outbreak. "We demonstrated in the early stages of the pandemic that when all of us as a community apply these precautionary measures, we sail through it with flying colours," he said. "I would highly advocate that we first of all not panic or be scared that the numbers are increasing, but rather look back and revisit to what extent we are adhering to those precautionary measures."

Coronavirus: UAE records 614 Covid-19 cases as recoveries exceed new infections

A further 639 people recovered from the virus while no patients died during the reporting period