ABU DHABI — The United Arab Emirates has reported 211 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours as daily cases continue to drop, the health ministry announced on Sunday.

A total of 56,922 COVID-19 infections have been confirmed as of Sunday with a recovery rate of over 86 percent, according to the ministry.

An additional 352 individuals who had previously tested positive for the virus recovered over the past 24 hours, raising the total number of recoveries to 49,269.

Meanwhile, the death toll increased to 339 after one person died due to COVID-19 complications.

5,000 sign up for vaccine trial

Earlier, Emirati officials said 5,000 people in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain had signed up to take part in a clinical trial for a COVID-19 vaccine.

The UAE trial is a partnership between Sinopharm, a Chinese vaccine manufacturer, Abu Dhabi-based AI and cloud computing company Group 42 and Abu Dhabi's health department.

The UAE was chosen as it is home to about 200 nationalities. The effect of a potential vaccine on multiple ethnic groups is an important part of its development. — Agencies