Picture used for illustrative purpose only.

UAE on Monday announced 41 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 611.

The UAE Health Ministry also announced two deaths due to complications from coronavirus, bringing the total deaths in the country to 5.

A 42-year-old Asian and a 48-year-old Arab national were among the dead.

The Arab national was suffering from heart disease, blood pressure and diabetes.

The UAE also announced the recovery of 3 new cases, and their full recovery from the disease.

One person from Philippines and two people from India were among the recovered cases bringing the total number of recovered cases in the UAE to 61.

Dr Farida, the official spokesman for the health sector in the UAE, “The new cases that have been registered are of different nationalities, all of which are stable, except for two cases in intensive care.”

"There is an increase in the number of cases of infection in the country with the emerging coronavirus during the past days, due to the mixing and transmission of the disease from one person to another within the state, which is called the local transmission of the disease," she said.

Dr Farida said "one of the previous corona cases in the country, which were investigated and followed up with others, caused the transmission of the infection to 36 other cases."

"Priority examination in the centers is for the groups that suffer from symptoms, especially respiratory ones, in addition to the senior citizens and the elderly residents, pregnant women, and those who suffer from chronic diseases," she informed.

Spokesperson once again emphasised the need for community members to cooperate, and not to go to the testing centers without the medical need for that, or without taking an appointment in advance.

She also urged all sales outlets not to require all shoppers to wear masks, except for those who suffer from respiratory symptoms.

"Wearing masks is only required for people who suffer from respiratory symptoms such as coughs, colds and fever, and they are not necessary for all members of society," she clarified further.

Al Hosani hailed the concerted efforts and synergy witnessed across the country over the past two days toward the National Disinfection Programme.

"More than 70 percent of the UAE people, including Emiratis, residents and visitors, have remarkably committed themselves to the programme in a way that facilitated the efforts of the sterilisation teams," she added, thanking all UAE people, police and security departments, civil defence teams and municipalities for their efforts to ensure the success of the programme.

"We are all positive that all segments of society will commit more to staying at home during the sterilisation period in order to ensure more success for the programme."