The photo has been used for illustrative purpose.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The UAE Ministry of Health conducted 163,100 COVID-19 tests in the past 24 hours. The ministry revealed 2,988 new cases of the coronavirus in the country.

The health ministry plans to expand the scope of the tests to detect new infections. The health ministry also reported 3,658 recoveries and 5 deaths due to COVID-19 complications.

The ministry expressed its sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed to Almighty Allah for the speedy recovery of the infected cases.

The UAE government said it would prioritise the vaccination of young people who are over 18 years. The authorities made the statement during a media briefing on the coronavirus situation in the country.

“The state has been keen to provide vaccinations to groups of young people and people who are 18 years of age and over, and they contribute more to spreading the disease due to the nature of their lives and the activities they perform. We believe that it is necessary to provide them with the vaccine to limit the increase in cases in the next stage," health official said.

The vaccine is provided in government and private health facilities and vaccination centres and drive-by facilities, an innovative method launched by the UAE to ensure procedures for receiving the vaccine are available to the largest segment of society.

Vaccinations protect children and adults from certain infectious diseases and dangerous complications, thus leading to a healthy society free from diseases and epidemics.