The United Arab Emirates recorded 2,087 new COVID-19 cases and 16 deaths in the last 24 hours, state news agency WAM announced on Thursday.
The UAE conducted 225,489 COVID-19 tests and registered 1,677 recoveries.
Thursday’s numbers show an increase from Wednesday’s numbers which indicated a drop in the number of daily cases.
According to WAM, the country’s total death toll went up to 1,369.
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In an effort to combat an unprecedented rise in cases, the country announced the opening of seven new field hospitals with a 2,058 bed capacity, of which 292 are for critical cases, NCEMA reported on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the country’s vaccination program has gained ground. Almost half (48.71 percent) of the UAE’s “targeted group” have been vaccinated as of Tuesday, indicating the country’s successful efforts in the fight against COVID-19.
The UAE also announced on Thursday that vaccinated citizens without coronavirus antibodies would be able to receive a “booster” shot, after being administered the two-dose vaccine, to ensure the utmost protection and immunity against the virus.
In other news, the country is in the final stage of clinical trials for Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine. The trials involved a total of 1,000 volunteers who have all already received the vaccine’s second dose. Their immune response will then be assessed.
WAM stated: “Recent interim results from Phase III of the clinical trials of the Russian human adenovirus-based vaccine, as reported in leading international medical journal ‘The Lancet’, showed high efficacy of 91.6 percent, as well as strong immunogenicity and safety results.”
Read more:
UAE completes clinical trials for Russian COVID-19 vaccine with 1,000 volunteers
UAE sees drop in daily COVID-19 cases amid continued vaccine push
UAE vaccinates 48 percent of population, plans to open seven field hospitals
