DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) has already begun coordinating with local emergency and crisis committees across the UAE to tighten controls as a total of 1,861 new Covid-19 infections have been detected in a span of just two consecutive days on Sept. 10 and 11, Emirates News Agency (WAM) said.
Dr. Farida Al Hosani, official spokesperson of the UAE Health sector, yesterday announced 930 new Covid-19 cases, according to WAM, the government’s official news source.
Today, Sept. 11, Friday, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) announced another 931 new cases, reported Gulf News. This brought the total to 1,861 new Covid-19 infections in two days.
Authorities said the number of new Covid-19 cases were the highest in four months, even as Dr. Al Hosani noted that only 179 infections were recorded a month ago on August 10.
There were also five Covid-related deaths on Sept. 10, according to MOHAP.
With this, Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes joined the UAE government in reiterating calls to strictly observe health and safety protocols like social distancing and properly wearing masks.
“Dr. Al Hosani explained that despite the high recovery rates, the increase in infections requires everyone to pause and consider their actions since just one month ago on August 10, only 179 infections were recorded. The rise in cases within a month to over 900 is an increase of more than five times,” WAM said.
Said Cortes: “The Consulate General continues to remind all Filipinos of the need to constantly adhere to health protocols as advised by the host government, that is, physical distancing, wearing of masks and gloves, among others.”
“We also urge everyone to boost their immune systems and work on a balance diet. Co-existing with the virus and adapting to the new normal are realities we need to live with,” he added.
Dr. Al Hosani, for her part, called on those who have been in contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 to follow the approved quarantine protocol.
She said these people who have been exposed to infected individuals should not rely on a negative test result from a period after the discovery of contact with an infected person as an excuse to return to normal life as the incubation period of the virus may last up to 14 days.
In all, the UAE has 77,842 Covid-19 cases to date of which 68,462 have recovered and 398 have died, according to MOHAP. There currently are 8,982 active cases, also according to the government health ministry.
Over 82,000 additional COVID-19 tests among UAE citizens and residents were conducted over the past few days, authorities said.
The UAE imposes stiff penalties for violators of Covid-19 regulations, among which include Dh3,000 for failure to wear face mask; and Dh3,000 for not observing social distancing.
The Daily Bread 