The photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The UAE Ministry of Health conducted 170,694 COVID-19 tests in the past 24 hours to dectect virus infection in the country.

The ministry said it plans to expand the scope of the tests in the coming days.

The health officials said that 3,552 new cases of the coronavirus were detected in through the tests.

It also said 3,945 people recovered from the infections.

The health workers with heavy heart said that 10 death people died due to COVID-19 complications.

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

On the other hand, the Health Ministry on Thursday announced it has approved the Russian COVID-19 vaccine, Sputnik V, for emergency use, making it the third such vaccine to be approved for use in the UAE.

The decision comes as part of the UAE's comprehensive and integrated efforts to ensure increased prevention levels against the virus and to safeguard the health of the country's citizens and residents.  

Study results have demonstrated the effectiveness of the vaccine in triggering a strong antibody response against the virus, its safety for use, and its compliance with international safety and effectiveness standards.