Mohamed Bin Zayed, Gates discuss ways to fight coronavirus

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Bill Gates, Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, discussed over a phone call ways to enhance humanitarian cooperation in health as well as disease and epidemic control in the light of the success they have achieved in several previous global partnerships and initiatives.

The number of people infected with the new coronavirus across the world surpassed 100,000 on Friday as the economic damage intensified, with business districts beginning to empty and stock markets tumbling. The number of affected countries is 92. Over 3,300 people were killed globally.

Sheikh Mohamed and Gates also spoke about the possibility of intensifying cooperation and joint work between UAE’s humanitarian institutions and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to tackle the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), and support the efforts of the international community, governments and societies to limit its spread.

They reviewed the most important humanitarian initiatives and partnerships between the two sides, which aim to reduce the spread of diseases and epidemics that hinder social and economic development.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) announced a new coronavirus (COVID19) case on Thursday.

The latest case, a 17-year-old male Emirati student, who had no symptoms. The Ministry confirmed that he is currently receiving medical care and his condition is stable.

The Ministry said that in coordination with health and other concerned authorities in the country, precautionary measures have been taken, including the immediate isolation of the patient and suspending classes at the school whilst teams of specialists started the necessary sterilisation in and around the school facilities.

Dubai Police Chief Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri said all concerned authorities are working round the clock in coordination with the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention and Dubai Health Authority’s (DHA) medical team to implement precautionary measures against COVID-19 and ensure the highest levels of safety and protection for the public. Al Marri said measures have been taken to screen passengers effectively in a hassle-free manner in order to avoid any delay or inconvenience at the ports of entry. He further said equipment to screen passengers for coronavirus symptoms have been installed at all travel points. All passengers including transit passengers are being screened.

Travellers should be aware that this may add 2-3 hours to their journey time, he pointed out. After the test, travellers are free to continue their journey. They will be contacted only if any further intervention is needed, such as reporting to a medical facility or self-quarantine.

Saudi Arabia reopened two of the most holy religious sites in Islam, Al-Haram Mosque in Makkah and Al-Masjid Al Nabawy in Medina, after they were closed for sterilisation to halt the spread of the new coronavirus.

Muslims across the Middle East held Friday prayer under the shadow of the new Coronavirus, with some gatherings cancelled and others subdued because of the deadly outbreak.

The highly contagious disease is believed to be transmitted through close contact and authorities globally have moved to restrict large gatherings, including public prayers.

An increasing number of people faced a new reality as many were asked to stay home from work, schools were closed, large gatherings and events were cancelled, stores cleared of staples like toiletries and water, and face masks became a common sight.

In London, Europe’s financial capital, the Canary Wharf district was unusually quiet. S&P Global’s large office stood empty after the company sent its 1,200 staff home, while HSBC asked around 100 people to work from home after a worker tested positive for the illness.

In New York, JPMorgan divided its team between central locations and a secondary site in New Jersey while Goldman Sachs sent some traders to nearby secondary offices in Greenwich, Connecticut and Jersey City.

The outbreak, which has killed more than 3,300 people globally, has radiated across the United States, surfacing in at least four new states plus San Francisco.

Agencies