The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Friday reported 391 new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 143 recoveries.

The new cases were detected through additional 82,191 tests.

MoHAP also confirmed one death on Friday, taking the toll to 370.

Total number of cases stand at 66,193 as of August 21, while total recoveries in the UAE are 58,296.

In a statement, the ministry stressed its aim to continue expanding the scope of testing nationwide to facilitate the early detection of coronavirus cases and carry out the necessary treatment.

The coronavirus cases in the UAE have been on the rise for the past five days, and the country has warned that the national sterilisation programme could return if the numbers keep climbing up. The country reported 210 Covid-19 cases on Sunday, followed by 229 (Monday), 365 (Tuesday), 435 (Wednesday), and 461 cases on Thursday.

The National Sterilisation Programme could return if the number of Covid-19 cases keep increasing, an official warned on Thursday. The country has marked a surge in the number of cases in the last two weeks which Minister of Health and Community Protection Abdul Rahman Al Owais called an "alarming increase". Al Dhaheri said authorities rely on the public's sense of responsibility to abide by the safety measures to break the chain. He said the country should be able to flatten the curve if numbers are brought under control. He also said the penalties and fines laid out by the UAE attorney-general will be imposed to deter violators from breaking the Covid precautionary rules.

The UAE had completed its national sterilisation programme on June 24 and lifted all movement restrictions. The country-wide programme, which was launched on March 26 to fight the coronavirus, saw a complete sterilsation of all facilities in the UAE, including public transportation, streets and other public areas.

Copyright © 2020 Khaleej Times. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).

Disclaimer: The content of this article is syndicated or provided to this website from an external third party provider. We are not responsible for, and do not control, such external websites, entities, applications or media publishers. The body of the text is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither we nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this article. Read our full disclaimer policy here.