UAE reports 725 new Covid-19 cases; total number of tests cross 1.5 million

The UAE government reported 725 new Covid-19 infections on Wednesday, May 13.

This takes the overall number of infections in the country up to 20,386.

Three deaths were also announced. The total death toll therefore stands at 206.

آخر الإحصائيات حول إصابات فيروس كورونا المستجد (كوفيد 19) في الإمارات
The latest update of Coronavirus (Covid 19) in the UAE#خلك_في_البيت#ملتزمون_يا_وطن#فيروس_كورونا_المستجد #كوفيد19#وزارة_الصحة_ووقاية_المجتمع_الإمارات#stayhome#coronavirus #covid19#mohap_uae pic.twitter.com/KmHDf4ldJT

— وزارة الصحة ووقاية المجتمع الإماراتية – MOHAP UAE (@mohapuae) May 13, 2020

There are 13,657 patients currently being treated for the virus.

There were also 511 new recoveries reported, taking the total number of recoveries up to 6,523.

Additional testing

The new cases were detected after conducting 34,869 tests to screen for the virus.

Dr. Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, official spokesperson of the UAE Government, said that health authorities have performed 1,560,923 tests to date, reported official news agency WAM.

The ratio of recorded cases to total tests to date has been estimated at 1.3 per cent.

On May 12, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, authorised free Covid-19 tests for all Emiratis beginning next week.

Read: Free Covid-19 tests for select expats and all Emiratis in the UAE

The free testing would also be extended to expat domestic workers based within the residences of these Emirati households.

Additionally, people of determination, pregnant women, those aged above 50 and anyone who has come in direct contact with infected individuals are also eligible for free testing.

“We are at an important stage in dealing with the virus, and containing it requires everyone to take responsibility by committing to eliminate it. Complacency will cause more infections and prolong the spread of the virus. Therefore, care must be taken to adopt precautionary measures, such as physical distancing, avoiding gatherings, and wearing face masks,” added Al Shamsi