UAE reports 525 new Covid-19 cases, eight deaths

The UAE reported 525 new coronavirus cases in the country on Friday, taking the total number of those infected in the country to 9,281, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced.

The ministry also said eight additional patients had succumbed to the virus, taking the overall death toll to 64. The deceased belonged to different nationalities and suffered from pre-existing chronic illnesses, MoHAP said.

The new cases were detected after the ministry conducted over 32,000 additional tests over the past few days in line with MoHAP’s plans to intensify virus screening to contain the spread of Covid-19.

The new cases belong to various nationalities and are all in a stable condition and receiving the necessary care, the statement said.

The ministry also announced the full recovery of 123 new cases, taking to 1,760 the total of those now recovered from the virus in the UAE.

MoHAP expressed its condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to all patients, calling on the public to co-operate with health authorities and comply with all precautionary measures, particularly social distancing protocols.

On Thursday, the UAE announced that it was reducing the timings of the national disinfection programme during the holy month of Ramadan.

The programme, which began earlier this month to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the country, will now begin at 10pm instead of 8pm, and last until 6am.

Read: UAE changes timings of national disinfection drive during Ramadan

Meanwhile Dubai also eased the restrictions in the emirate, allowing malls and offices to reopen with certain precautionary measures still in place.

Read: Dubai eases movement restrictions, allows malls and offices to partially reopen