Dubai - A round-up of major developments related to Covid-19 across the country.
Published: Wed 5 Aug 2020, 9:38 AM
Last updated: Wed 5 Aug 2020, 5:27 PM
Here's a round-up of all the latest Covid-19 developments you need to know:
UAE reports 189 Covid-19 cases, 227 recoveries, no deaths for fourth straight day
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Tuesday reported 189 new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 227 recoveries. No deaths were reported for the fourth straight day. Nearly 30,000 new Covid-19 tests were carried out, the ministry added. Yesterday, the UAE recorded its lowest number of cases since April, even as it announced no daily deaths due to complications caused by the coronavirus for the third day straight. The UAE has seen a steady dip in the number of reported cases over the past week. Monday's 164 cases is almost half of what was reported on July 29 (375). The assuring statistics come at a time when the UAE has accelerated its testing and tracing regimes.
Abu Dhabi reports drop in Covid-19 cases per total tests conducted
Abu Dhabi has confirmed a commendable drop in confirmed cases across the capital per tests conducted, thanks to its screening initiatives and other preventive measures. According to Abu Dhabi Emergency Crisis & Disasters Committee, the percentage of confirmed cases per total tests stands at 0.3 per cent for Abu Dhabi City, 0.6 per cent in Al Ain, and 0.4 per cent in Al Dhafrah. The results reflect the community's cooperation and commitment to following precautionary measures instituted to help curb the spread of Covid-19. As of July 27, authorities had conducted more than 200,000 tests in 15 residential neighbourhoods during the first month of its home screening initiative.
Over 100 frontliners in Abu Dhabi volunteer for Covid-19 vaccine trial
More than 100 frontline medical professionals from seven hospitals in Abu Dhabi have volunteered for the ongoing Phase 3 trials of a Covid-19 vaccine. In a multi-phase initiative, frontliners from VPS Healthcare's LLH, Lifecare, Burjeel, and Medeor Hospitals in Abu Dhabi, Musaffah and Al Ain joined the 4Humanity vaccine trial programme. During the Eid Al Adha holidays, the first batch of 109 healthcare workers received the first shot of the vaccine at the facility set up at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec). Dr Lalu Chacko, medical director at Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi, said hundreds of health workers from VPS Healthcare will be registering for the trial in batches. "We are expecting at least 500 of our healthcare staff to be part of this."
Mass testing is helping UAE win war against virus
Doctors have hailed the UAE's mass testing drive as it reported no Covid-19 fatality for the fourth day straight on Tuesday. The number of cases dipped to less than 200 in the last two days, indicating a downward turn of infections. The country's Covid mortality rate of 0.6 per cent is considerably lower than the global average of 3.7 per cent. Over 90 per cent of infected patients recover, as opposed to a global recovery rate of 58 per cent. Hundreds of thousands of Emiratis and expats are being tested for free across the Emirates. Dr Sundar Elayaperumal, specialist microbiology, Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi, said: "This has helped the authorities identify asymptomatic patients and ensure proper treatment for them at the right time."
UAE travellers can take Covid-19 test from any accredited centre
Travellers to the UAE can take a Covid-19 test from labs accredited by the government of their country of origin, the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) has announced. Previously, travellers needed to have a Covid-19 negative PCR test result from labs accredited by the UAE. "The NCEMA and the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) announce the expansion of approval of Covid-19 tests to include all laboratories accredited by governments from around the world," the NCEMA tweeted on Tuesday. The test must have been conducted within 96 hours of the flight, the authority said. Travellers must have a Covid-negative result to travel to the country. The authority reminded residents that they needed an ICA approval to travel to the UAE. Dubai residents need approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.
Abu Dhabi allows resumption of more sports activities with Covid safety measures
The Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) announced the resumption of additional sporting activities in the capital on Tuesday. The list of approved activities now includes aquatic sport and swimming at public and private clubs. Individual training activities in martial arts and self-defence in private clubs will also be allowed to resume. The announcement also noted that individual training conducted in open spaces for those under 12 years of age will be permitted for the following activities:> Tennis > Cricke > Golf > Equestrian sports. All the above activities have been permitted to resume, provided they adhere to all precautionary and safety measures, including periodic sterilisation operations and approval from ADSC.
Indian parents bring stranded kids back to Dubai via US
With India offering no clarity on whether visit visa holders are allowed to travel to the UAE, desperate residents are opting for longer and complicated routes to fly their loved ones to the country. Some parents are sending their children stranded in India to the US so they can travel to the UAE. The Indian Ambassador to the UAE Pavan Kapoor on Monday had told Khaleej Times that the Indian government is yet to decide whether to allow its citizens to travel on visit visas. Parents are running out of options and are now taking "drastic measures" to be reunited with their kids. Sahad Sattar, a Dubai resident, said his two teenage sons were stranded in the south Indian state of Kerala since March. They undertook a 46-hour journey from Calicut to Delhi and Chicago before flying to Dubai.
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