Coronavirus news bulletin: UAE official warns of second wave; work begins on Covid drug; rise in cases on Sunday

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uae, covid-19, coronavirus, anti-viral drug, vaccine

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

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Ismail Sebugwaawo

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Published: Mon 24 Aug 2020, 8:49 AM

Last updated: Mon 24 Aug 2020, 10:53 AM

Here's a round-up of all the latest Covid-19 developments you need to know:
UAE reports 390 Covid-19 cases, 80 recoveries, 3 deaths
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Sunday reported 390 new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 80 recoveries. Three deaths were also reported. The ministry has urged the public to cooperate and stick to the Covid-19 precautionary measures outlined by the UAE government. The ministry attributed the  recent surge in daily Covid infections to some people's disregard for important preventive measures such as wearing medical masks and social distancing, the ministry said. Adhering to precautionary measures against Covid-19 is a national responsibility, the authorities have warned. While the elderly and other vulnerable groups are more prone to contracting the virus due to weaker immunity, the youth are affected due to a misconception
UAE has learnt from Covid to boost food security: Sheikh Mohammed
The UAE must learn from challenges posed by the global outbreak of Covid-19 to improve its food and water security, the country's Vice-President said on Sunday. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said the pandemic helped the country "develop a more comprehensive vision" to deal with challenges. He said food and water security is a "top priority" for the government and the UAE aims to launch qualitative initiatives that "boost our readiness to confront all kind of crises". Sheikh Mohammed's remarks came as he reviewed food and water security plans following the recent restructuring of the UAE Cabinet in preparation for the post Covid-19 era.
UAE official warns of second wave if rules are not followed
The UAE could be at risk of a second wave of the Covid-19 outbreak if residents do not adhere to the strict precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus, a top official has warned. "The pandemic has not ended. If UAE residents do not adhere to preventive measures, we will be on the verge of a second outbreak," Obaid Al Hussan Al Shamsi, director-general of the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, said on Sunday in an interview on Abu Dhabi TV. The official also said the authorities would consider reintroducing the national sterilisation programme in areas where an outbreak is detected. Following the rise in the number of infections in the past two weeks, health authorities had called on residents not to be complacent. 
UAE to begin work on drug against Covid-19
A ground-breaking research project to develop an antiviral drug for Covid-19 has been rolled out in the UAE. The social initiative Sandooq Al Watan and the University of Sharjah signed research agreements to launch the project, according to a report posted on Twitter by the Abu Dhabi Media Office (ADMO). Introduced under Sandooq Al Watan's applied research and development programme (SWARD), the research project aims to design a dual-inhibitor antiviral drug to treat SARS-CoV2 (the Covid-19 virus) which would be able to block "major enzymes" required for viral infection. "The new proposed product will provide a platform to overcome any possible drug resistance or evolved future viral outbreaks," the ADMO added in the tweet.


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