Picture used for illustrative purpose only.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The UAE Health Ministry conducted more than 34,000 COVID-19 tests, and revealed 725 new coronavirus cases in the country on Wednesday.

The total number of cases registered in the country on Wednesday jumped to 20,386 cases. 

The ministry said 3 persons infected with the virus died as a result of complications related to infection with the virus, bringing the total deaths in the country to 206 people.

The UAE Government announced that an additional 511 patients had recovered from COVID-19 after receiving the necessary medical care, raising the total number of recoveries to 6,523.

Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi Emergency Crisis and Disasters Committee for COVID-19 Pandemic has inaugurated a field hospital at Al Razeen as part of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s field hospital initiative.

This was revealed during the regular media briefing held today in Abu Dhabi by Dr. Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, official spokesperson of the UAE Government, and Brigadier Khamis Al Kaabi, official spokesman for the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, who spoke about the entity’s latest announcements.

Dr. Al Shamsi underscored plans to further enlarge the scope of testing, noting that health authorities have performed 1,560,923 tests to date. After conducting an additional 34,869 tests, 725 new infections were identified among various nationalities, with the total number of cases amounting to 20,386, including those receiving treatment, recovered cases, and deaths.

Al Shamsi also said that efforts by frontline defenders continue as part of the nationwide expansion of testing. The ratio of recorded cases to total tests to date has been estimated at 1.3 percent.

Al Shamsi affirmed that this ratio and the sheer number of tests conducted affirm the efficiency and strength of the country’s healthcare system and highlight the efforts of frontline workers, including doctors, nurses, administrative staff, and volunteers, who are working around the clock to ensure the continuity of testing and thereby limit the spread of the virus.

Three deaths were announced from different nationalities, bringing the number of deaths registered in the country to 206.

Al Shamsi offered her sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed to Allah the Almighty to grant patience and solace to their families.

The number of COVID-19 cases still receiving treatment now stands at 13,657 from different nationalities.

Al Shamsi stated that under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, free testing for UAE citizens would begin next week under the framework of the country’s preventative measures to counter COVID-19.