Glimmer of hope ahead as MoHAP also announced that five more coronavirus patients have recuperated with the total now at 31.
In what was the single biggest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the UAE so far, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), yesterday March 19, announced that 27 new infections have been detected, bringing the total at 140 from 113 a day earlier.
At the same, glimmer of hope ahead as MoHAP also announced that five more coronavirus patients have recuperated with the total now at 31.
MoHAP urged members of the public not to circulate misinformation and rumors via social media and called upon the public to rely on official sources for developments on the pandemic.
The announcements were made at a press briefing held in cooperation with the Ministry of Education (MoE) in Abu Dhabi.
During the briefing, Dr. Farida Al Hosani, official spokesperson for the UAE health sector, briefed journalists on the latest COVID-19 developments in the country and the measures taken by UAE authorities to combat the spread of the pandemic.
Al Hosani, who is also the Director of the Department of Communicable Diseases at the Abu Dhabi Centre for Public Health, said that the 27 new cases were discovered at an early stage due to effective monitoring methods. All of the individuals newly diagnosed are from various nationalities, Al Hosani noted.
She explained that the individuals have been in contact with previously diagnosed persons and were quarantined and tested accordingly. Others, she added, were individuals who came into the country from travels abroad.
The spokesperson said that following the discovery of the new cases, the total number of COVID-19 cases has reached 140, with two cases in critical condition.
During the briefing, the spokesperson also revealed the full recovery of five individuals of which three were Emiratis.
A Syrian and Sri Lankan national have also fully recovered, bringing the total number of COVID-19 recoveries in the UAE to 31.
The briefing highlighted the UAE’s efforts and immediate response measures to ensure the health and safety of the general public.
Journalists were updated on the latest developments and preventative measures taken by the country to mitigate the spread of the pandemic.
Also discussed during the briefing were the current measures being taken to ensure the safe return of 4,340 students currently studying abroad.
Dr. Al Hosani explained that the Ministries of Health and Prevention and Education are working together to ensure that the students return home. She added that the UAE education ministry has set up a special committee to ensure that students’ scholarship affairs remain in order.
The ministries are also working together to communicate with the students, relaying vital information to them to ensure their health and safety, she added.
The spokesperson highlighted that UAE authorities had imposed home quarantines lasting two weeks for all individuals returning to the country.
As for food security, the spokesperson stressed that the country had sufficient food and medicinal stockpiles.
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