ABU DHABI 13 March 2020: The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), has announced 11 new cases of the coronavirus, Covid-19, in the UAE on Thursday.
According to a statement released by the ministry, the individuals were placed under quarantine as suspected cases subsequent to their entry into the UAE. Following required testing and monitoring, the individuals were confirmed positive with Covid-19, it added.
The total number of positive coronavirus cases in the UAE has now reached 85, the MoHAP statement affirmed.
The 11 individuals diagnosed with the new coronavirus include two Italians, two Filipinos, one Montenegrin, one Canadian, one German, one Pakistani, one Emirati, one Russian and one British citizen, said Wam.
MoHAP confirmed that the cases are being monitored, and individuals are currently in a stable condition and are receiving all necessary health care required.
The ministry called on members of the public to seek information from official sources, and avoid the spreading of misinformation.
Three more people recover from coronavirus in UAE
MoHAP announced the full recovery of a further three people from the novel coronavirus, Covid-19, bringing the total number of recovered cases in the country to 20.
The ministry said that the individuals – a Bangladeshi, a Chinese and an Italian – are now “symptom-free” after receiving the necessary health treatment in hospital.
The Ministry affirmed that the UAE’s handling of the cases, from diagnosis until recovery, reflects the strength of its health care system, thanks to the support of the leadership and its concern to provide the highest levels of health care for all.
It added that infected individuals are being dealt with according to the highest health standards, and are kept under close observation and the care of specialised medical teams who understand guidelines of the WHO.
Coronavirus website launched in Abu Dhabi
An official website to keep the public informed about the coronavirus outbreak has been launched by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, and the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre.
Developed by the UAE-based artificial intelligence services firm, Saal.ai, the website, includes interactive features, updates from official sources, and answers in English and Arabic to related queries on the novel virus through an AI chatbot
Dubai Government takes precautionary measures
The Dubai Executive Council has outlined a range of precautionary steps to ensure the health and safety of government employees and contribute to local and international efforts to combat the novel coronavirus, Covid-19.
The measures include suspending fingerprint attendance machines and activating the ‘Smart Employee’ app or alternative attendance systems; and allowing pregnant female employees, elderly employees, employees with disabilities and employees with diseases that compromise the immune system to work from home. The General Secretariat of the Executive Council called on all government departments to postpone events and gatherings and offer flexible working-hours for mothers with children in Grade 9 or below.
Each department has been authorised to take additional precautionary measures in coordination with concerned bodies including sterilisation of the facility, furniture, office equipment, vehicles and elevators. All departments have also been directed to encourage their customers to use online customer service apps; postpone non-critical overseas assignments and training programmes, especially in high-risk countries; use online meeting technologies; and raise awareness about essential precautionary measures among employees.
Employees returning from overseas trips have been directed to stay at home until it is proven that they are not infected. In such cases, employees will receive their full salary and be allowed to work from home.
Government employees have also been issued guidelines on vital hygiene practices both inside and outside their workplaces. The guidelines were developed according to the recommendations of local health authorities and the standards of the World Health Organisation, WHO.
