UAE reports highest daily Covid-19 cases in nearly 2 months

Dubai - These figures are much lower compared to the highs of over 3,000 daily cases in January and February.

The UAE on Thursday recorded 2,167 new Covid-19 cases — the highest number reported in almost two months.

The last time the country saw over 2,000 cases was on April 27, when 2,094 infections were reported. Thursday's figure was the highest since 2,180 cases were recorded on April 2.

These figures, however, are still much lower compared to the highs of over 3,000 daily cases in January and February, with the highest being 3,977 on February 3.

It must also be noted that the UAE has stepped up its PCR testing regime. Between Wednesday and Thursday, the country conducted 225,957 PCR tests. When weighed against the Covid-19 cases reported on the day, the Covid positivity rate stood at 0.95 per cent.

Earlier this month, daily cases had dipped to record lows for four days straight. Between May 14 and 17, the number of infections had gone down to around 1,200. In fact, May 17’s 1,229 infections tally was the lowest in five months since December 27, 2020. Overall, this month has seen a significant decrease in cases.

Doctors say that the surge in Covid cases is likely due to community transmission.

“People are getting lax in following Covid-19 protocols. Indoor gatherings have increased, considering the current weather conditions. Also, the mutant behaviour of virus can be considered a potential cause, which is being put under control through the implemented travel restrictions,” said Dr Pulak Gupta, internal medicine (general practitioner) at Aster Cedars Hospital.

Healthcare specialists urge residents to strictly adhere to Covid-19 safety rules to curb the spread of infection. Masks should be worn properly, they stressed.

Dr Vito Annese, HOCD internal medicine at Fakeeh University Hospital, said: “The rules have not changed: Social distancing, wearing the mask and hand sanitising. It is also of extreme importance to adhere to quarantine rules and get tested in case of suspected contact and symptoms.”

Daily monitoring of health and practising good respiratory hygiene are advised, Dr Gupta added.

Medics have been encouraging residents to get vaccinated at the earliest. “If 10 people are vaccinated and four are not, there are chances for the virus to spread. Ninety per cent of the population in Dubai is vaccinated. We need those 10 percent to also get vaccinated in order to be safe,” said Dr Mukesh Kumar Ram, internal medicine and nephrology specialist at Canadian Specialist Hospital.

“Having no vaccination obviously increases the risk but the vaccination itself does not protect a person 100 per cent. The precaution should be exactly the same even after completing the vaccination course,” Dr Vito said.

Despite the rise in cases, vaccination still has made a “striking difference”, Dr Gupta said, pointing out how complications related to the virus have been reduced. Covid-related deaths has in fact been on the decline.

The UAE’s Covid mortality rate is below 0.3 per cent — which is significantly below the global average of 2.1 per cent. In May so far, the UAE has, on average, reported under three deaths daily. Last month, too, the number of deaths had dipped to under three. These are significant drops from the average 13 daily deaths reported in February; and nine in March.

sahim@khaleejtimes.com

ayaz@khaleejtimes.com