Coronavirus news bulletin: Dubai expat comes back from 'brink of death'; Crackdown on firms breaking rules; Kids with cough, runny nose sent back home

Abu Dhabi - A round-up of major developments related to Covid-19 across the country.

Here's a round-up of all the latest Covid-19 developments you need to know:
UAE reports 640 Covid-19 cases, 468 recoveries, no deaths
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Sunday reported 640 cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 468 recoveries. No deaths were reported. More than 84,000 new Covid-19 cases were carried out in the country, the ministry added. With the UAE recording a sharp spike in the number of daily Covid-19 cases, authorities have stressed that the community must renew its commitment to precautionary measures and not let the efforts of the government and frontline workers go to waste. The daily cases crossed the 1,000 mark for the first time, with the country reporting 1,007 infections on Saturday. The next highest of 994 cases was recorded over 100 days ago on May 22.
 
Dubai closes 4 shops, fines others for breaking Covid-19 health rules
Dubai's tourism regulator has ordered the closure of four establishments that were found to have flouted Covid-19 safety rules. Dubai Tourism also suspended the permits of 14 establishments and issued 'final warnings' to 19 others. This came as the entity spotted violations during inspection visits of hotels and tourist attractions. The entity reminded establishments to abide by the rules to keep the city's guests and residents safe from Covid-19. The announcement comes as multiple government entities in the emirate stepped up inspections to ensure compliance with Covid-19 safety protocols. Earlier today, Dubai Economy ordered the closure of a restaurant on Bluewaters Island after it failed to ensure social distancing between patrons.
 
Sharjah intercity buses to resume from September 15 at 50% capacity
Sharjah will resume its intercity bus service at 50 per cent capacity from September 15, it was announced on Sunday. Jubail Bus Station will be reopened on the same day. The station had been shut and intercity bus service suspended in April as a precautionary measure against the spread of Covid-19. The service will be provided under strict health and safety measures to keep commuters safe, the Sharjah emergency, crisis and disaster management authority said. Dr Ahmed Saeed Al Naour, director-general of Central Operations, Sharjah Police, said passengers will be subjected to a thermal body scan before they are allowed to board the bus. The vehicles will be sterilised after each trip and will have stickers to ensure social distancing. All passengers will have to wear masks during the trip and they will have access to hand sanitisers on board.
 
Coronavirus PCR test in Dubai to now cost only Dh250
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) on Sunday announced that it has reduced the cost of Covid-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests to Dh250. The DHA reduced the cost of Covid-19 testing to make it more accessible to the public and encourage proactive medical examinations as a precautionary and preventive measure. The authority said in a statement issued today that it will spare no effort to combat Covid-19 to ensure the safety of society and the health of its members.
 
Swimming pool in Dubai closed for flouting Covid-19 rules
A swimming pool in Dubai has been shut while fines have been issued to two fitness centres for not complying with Covid-19 safety protocol, authorities announced on Sunday. The pool will remain shut until it conforms to the requirements, they added. The Dubai Sports Council and Dubai Economy teams have been visiting academies, and sports and fitness centres in the emirate to inspect the facilities and ensure they comply with all Covid-19 precautionary measures. One of the fitness centres was fined Dh5,000 for not ensuring safe distance inside the facility, and a Dh3,000 fine was issued because an employee was not wearing the mandatory face mask.
 
Dubai continues crackdown on firms flouting Covid-19 rules
A zero tolerance approach to violations of Covid-19 safety measures is in place across Dubai, with inspectors from multiple government entities out on the field to ensure compliance. At least five establishments that failed to ensure social distancing between patrons were ordered shut, while several others were fined or warned. Dubai Economy said it ordered the closure of a restaurant on Bluewaters Island after inspectors spotted diners too close to each other. This is the second eatery to be shut, after one in Satwa was closed on Friday. Inspectors also fined an establishment at a mall after spotting employees without masks. Four other outlets were warned for not having physical distancing stickers on the floor.
 
Covid-positive Dubai expat comes back from 'brink of death'
Dubai resident Sanil Kumar has got a new lease of life after being hospitalised for over three months battling Covid-19. Now back at doing what he does best - cook - the chef said no one should experience what he did. "I was one of the lucky few who came back from the extreme stage that I had reached due to Covid-19. I was on the brink of death," he said. The 33-year-old had to be put on the ventilator for over a month. "I felt my own death. My oxygen levels were frightfully low and both my lungs had severe pneumonia. To prevent respiratory failure, my doctors at Medeor hospital had to put me in the prone position for 10-15 hours daily to maintain oxygenation. I was experiencing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)."
 
Schools in Dubai sending back kids with cough, runny nose
Schools in Dubai remain upbeat about checking their students' health and pupils with runny noses and sniffles are being advised to stay at home, even being sent back from school gates. As institutions across the city reopen with blended learning formats accompanying messages about the need to avoid complacency are being repeated. "If any child has any symptom, they are not permitted to join the face-to-face classes. The school nurse and the wellness coordinator keep in touch with the parents and children to join back for classes once they are completely symptom-free. Until then, their learning continues by attending the classes from home," said Deepika Thapar Singh, CEO-Principal of Credence High School

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