UAE reports 90% COVID-19 recovery rate, tests over 5m for virus

Emad Al Din Khalil, Staff Reporter

The UAE government conducted media briefing on Monday in Abu Dhabi, where it was announced that The Ministry of Health and Prevention, MoHAP, registered 27,811 additional COVID-19 tests over the past 24 hours, using state-of-the-art medical testing equipment.

In a statement, the Ministry affirmed its aim to continue expanding the scope of testing nationwide to facilitate the early detection of coronavirus cases and carry out the necessary treatment.

As part of its intensified testing campaign, MoHAP detected 164 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of cases in the UAE to 61,163.

MoHAP also noted an additional 248 individuals had fully recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total recoveries to 54,863.

According to the Ministry, 5,949 infected with COVID-19 from various nationalities are in a stable condition and are receiving the necessary care. 

MoHAP also said there were no deaths due to COVID-19 for the third day in a row, which means the death toll remains 351 in the country.

Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Minister for Health and Prevention stated the number of corona examinations exceeded 5 million, pointing out the cure rate reached 90%, which is among the highest globally. He attributed it to the early detection of cases which contributed to achieving the second phase of the strategy of treating cases using advanced protocols.

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Dr Omar Al Hammadi, the official spokesperson for the UAE Government, revealed that children are not immune to the epidemic, especially those suffering from chronic diseases, explaining that although children are less likely to develop severe symptoms, it is possible they can be infected with the virus, so adequate precautions must be taken to save them from infection.

He added the immune system is a protective weapon, but it weakens with age, making people more vulnerable to infections and tumors.

Al Hammadi also stressed that the first line of protection for the human body is to follow a healthy lifestyle through exercising, eating healthy, avoiding smoking, sleep disturbances and obesity. 

Al Hammadi advised ignoring ads promoting products which are claimed to stimulate the body’s immunity and protect against Covid 19, stressing that wearing masks reduces the chances of transmission of the coronavirus and is important for everyone, especially those suffering from respiratory symptoms and chronic diseases the elderly, and those who have contact with Covid 19 patients and caregivers.

"People who have difficulty breathing are not advised to wear masks, and physical spacing and continuous sterilization should be maintained," Al Hammadi added.

Answering a question about whether swimming pools are a source of transmission of infection, Al Hammadi said:, "There is no scientific evidence that the new coronavirus is transmitted between individuals through swimming in seawater or pools, but it is necessary to adhere to preventive measures and physical distance in these places.”

Concerning individuals who mix with and shake hands with relatives and friends whose samples proved negative, Al Hammadi said, "The negative sample which was taken several days ago does not mean neglecting the safety procedures and contact with others because the negative result means that the person was not infected at the time of the examination and does not necessarily mean that it is still negative after days."