UAE announces first two deaths from coronavirus
- 21 Mar 2020
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), has announced the first two deaths caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.
In a statement, MoHAP noted that one of the individuals was a 78-year old Arab national who had arrived in the country from Europe. The cause of death was a heart attack, coinciding with complications from the coronavirus disease, the ministry added.
MoHAP added that the other individual, a 58-year-old Asian national and resident of the UAE, had prior chronic illnesses — heart disease and kidney failure — which further complicated their inability to fight the disease.
The Ministry expressed its sincere condolences to the families of the deceased, and expressed its well-wishes for the recovery of all individuals diagnosed with coronavirus.
It reassured that both cases had received all necessary medical care and attention in the country’s medical facilities.
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The ministry noted that available statistics on the pandemic show that the mortality rate is 3.6 percent, adding that this rate increases among elderly persons and individuals who are immuno-compromised or suffer from chronic illness.
MoHAP urged the general public to cooperate with health authorities, and adhere to precautionary measures announced – particularly social distancing – to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 and ensure the overall health and safety of the UAE community.
The UAE suspended entry of citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states until the approval of the pre-examination mechanism, starting midnight tonight.
