The UAE has crossed the barrier of 5 million laboratory tests for Covid-19, and the survival rate for those infected with the disease has risen to 90 per cent, said the country’s Minister of Health and Prevention.

Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais was speaking during a media briefing held in Abu Dhabi yesterday (August 3), reported Emirates news agency Wam.

He praised the role of the front line medical teams and first responders and their great efforts since the beginning of the pandemic, adding that the early detection of cases and the application of advanced treatment protocols contributed to a continuous increase in the rates of recovery, with the ratio now reaching nearly 90%, giving the UAE among the highest rates of recovery in the world.

With regard to the development of vaccines, Al Owais explained that the UAE has achieved, in cooperation with a large group of international partners, a remarkable development as the third phase of the clinical trials that were launched during last July is continuing.

During the briefing, Dr Omar Al Hammadi, the official spokesperson for the UAE Government, said that the latest developments showed that the challenge to overcome Covid-19 is ongoing, as health workers continued their efforts during the Eid Al Adha period to ensure the safety of all members of society.

As for the new cases, Dr Al Hammadi announced that the number of new daily examinations reached 27,811, and revealed that 164 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded, all of which were receiving all necessary care in health care institutions. The latest figures bring the total number of recorded cases to 61,163.

Dr Al Hammadi also announced 248 new recoveries, bringing the total number of recoveries among Covid-19 patients in the country to 54,863.

He added that no deaths were recorded for the third day in a row, noting that the number of patients receiving treatment reached 5,949 patients.