UAE reports 'limited number' of cases of new coronavirus variant

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The UAE has discovered a "limited number" of cases of people infected with the new coronavirus variant in the country, a government official said at a press conference on Tuesday.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) said that from 23 to 29 December, more than 900,000 tests were conducted across the country, and the number of confirmed cases was 8,491 which means the rate of positive cases out of the total number of tests remains at 1%.

It stressed the need to continue to adhere to all precautionary and preventive measures to ensure the health and safety of everyone, emphasizing the continued efforts of the health sector and its workers to contain the virus and curb its spread.

In light of the emergence of the new emerging strain of the coronavirus in Britain, and in conjunction with the continuous investigations by the health sector, it has been proven that there are limited cases in the country, which came from abroad.

Thanks to the vision of the wise leadership, the UAE was a global example to follow in its response to the crisis, and it dealt with the pandemic using a holistic approach which contributed to limiting its spread and reducing its impact on all sectors of the country.

It is reported that the total number of Covid19 cases reached 204,369, while the number of recoveries reached 181,400 cases and the number of deaths, 662.

The number of tests has reached 20,593,403, including PCR and DPI, in all the emirates of the country.

Combination Hope initiative launched by the UAE is prepared to facilitate and support the distribution of 6 billion doses of the vaccine around the world, with the aim of increasing this capacity to 18 billion by the end of 2021.

In the third phase of clinical trials of the Russian and Chinese vaccines, the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine achieved positive results, with

the efficacy rate reaching 86%, and the preliminary results showed 100% protection against moderate and severe infections.

The UAE has applied the highest scientific standards in its treatment of COVID-19, surpassing all countries in the Middle East and Africa, and is rated as tenth in the world in its effectiveness of dealing with the virus.

The UAE used laser technology to diagnose the COVID-19 disease, and it was one of the first countries to use plasma and stem cell therapy to stimulate recovery.

The UAE government has raised the efficiency of preventive measures by using artificial intelligence tools to complete sterilization operations and uses a remote counselling system for chronic disease sufferers.

The UAE extended a helping hand to more than 70 countries around the world, contributed more than 1,000 tonnes and supported with more than a million workers in the healthcare industry around the world.

80% of WHO's supplies passed through the International Humanitarian City in Dubai, and an air bridge was built to provide health supplies in cooperation with the World Food Program.

The UAE has provided millions of meals within the country and cared for the families of the deceased, as a result of covid-19, through community institutions.