UAE boosts coronavirus testing rate to one in ten people

The United Arab Emirates has ramped up the coronavirus testing rate to about one in ten people, a government spokesperson announced on Wednesday.

The Gulf country, which has opened government drive-thru test centres nationwide, is focused on making testing widely available to all those who need it, the spokesperson added.

It is prioritizing testing people showing symptoms or those exposed to others with the virus, senior citizens, people with underlying health conditions, and pregnant women. Meanwhile, others can take the test for a fee.

The UAE state news agency WAM reported that the country had built three additional field hospitals with a total 3,400 bed capacity.

To date, UAE has reported 8,238 cases and 52, according to data from Worldometers.