Coronavirus: UAE announces 561 new cases

At over 1.2 million tests, the UAE has the third highest testing density in the world.

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Saturday, May 2, announced 561 new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases to 13,599.
The authority also announced 121 new recoveries, taking the total number of recoveries in the country to 2,664.
8 new deaths were also announced in the country, with the total number of deaths reaching 119. 
On Friday, UAE authorities said an innovative treatment against Covid-19 infections using stem cells has been developed and has been used to treat 73 patients. The treatment was developed by a team of doctors and researchers at the Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Centre (ADSCC). Stem cells from the patient's blood are taken and is reintroduced into their bodies after activating them.

Patients inhale the treatment into their lungs after it has been nebulised into a fine mist. It is believed to have a therapeutic effect as it regenerates lung cells and modulates the immune response to keep it from overreacting to the Covid-19 infection and causing further damage to healthy cells.

The treatment has been given to patients along with the conventional medical intervention. It will continue to be used with regular treatment protocols rather than as a replacement. The Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre is a specialist healthcare centre that focuses on cell therapy, regenerative medicine and cutting-edge research on stem cells.

The UAE is slowly easing restrictions put in place to combat Covid-19. The Dubai Metro is now running, restaurants and shops are accepting customers once again, with precautions in place. Even the Gold Souq in Deira, which is among the more populated areas in the emirate, is now open.

Dubai had on Sunday eased the 24-hour movement restrictions in Naif and Al Ras areas after no new cases were recorded in the densely populated areas in two days. More than 6,000 tests were conducted among residents in the areas in less than a month.

Dr Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, had previously said that an increase in the number of cases is expected as the country has ramped up testing. At over a 1.2 million tests, the UAE has the third highest testing density in the world.

In Abu Dhabi, as many as 20,000 employees working in malls have undergone Covid-19 testing ahead of the reopening of shopping malls in the emirate.

The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha) operated seven Covid-19 drive-thru testing centres round the clock to ensure none of the staff is infected as they return to work.