UAE confirms 412 new coronavirus cases, 81 recoveries as officials ramp up testing

The United Arab Emirates confirmed on Tuesday 412 coronavirus cases and the recovery of 81 patients so far, according to the ministry of health.

A statement from the UAE’s Ministry of Health said that the country is conducting more than 32,000 tests as part of its measures to combat the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic while adding that it plans to expand the scope of tests.

Although the number of cases reported daily has been increasing, with the total now 4,933, the country’s health ministry said this was due to increased testing being done in recent weeks, leading to more cases being identified.

The statement also added that three more patients had died from COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths to 28. All three were Asian nationals with pre-existing chronic illnesses.

The UAE has taken several measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus in the country, including an extension on April 2 of suspending entry of all valid visa holders who are outside the country for two additional weeks.

The country had also suspended issuing all entry visas starting from March 17 and called on its citizens abroad to return to their home country due to travel difficulties in light of the spread of the coronavirus and the travel restrictions the government put in place to contain the outbreak.

Read more:

Coronavirus: UAE’s Al Ain tests 800 people daily

Coronavirus: UAE couples can now get married online as lockdown prevents ceremonies

Coronavirus: UAE could flatten curve in 2-3 weeks, says COVID-19 health official