Against the backdrop of a continuing increase in the number of COVID-positive cases, life goes on for Dubai residents who took time over the weekend for their grocery run.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention, MoHaP, on Sunday April 5, announced 294 new cases of the novel coronavirus in the UAE, bringing the total number of cases to 1,799.

MoHAP also announced the full recovery of 19 cases as a result of receiving the necessary medical care, taking the number of recoveries to 144.

MoHAP said in a statement the new cases were detected upon examining people who came in contact with previously infected patients and did not adhere to preventive measures or maintain sufficient physical distance.

The government health agency was quoted by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) as saying that the newly diagnosed patients of various nationalities were in a stable condition and receiving the necessary medical care.

MoHAP also announced the full recovery of 19 cases as a result of receiving the necessary medical care, taking the number of recoveries to 144.

The city has been put under a two-week, 24-hour sterilization drive and residents have been advised to stay at home as much as possible. They may only go out for essential needs like food and medicine unless they work in certain vital employment groups. The metro has also been temporarily closed.

DUBAI: With much of the city in limbo brought about by the coronavirus outbreak, a Good Samaritan Filipina chef, who owns a classy restaurant, dishing out authentic Japanese cuisine, has stood up to give to the community despite facing bleak prospects for her business in this most uncertain of times.

Virginia Baby Sorongon, who has been in Dubai for the past seven years and opened Shokuji Sushi restaurant on Sept. 23, 2019 at the Wasl Vita Mall in Jumeirah, said she thought about launching a food drive considering how difficult things have been in the city for the last weeks as many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are compelled to go on unpaid leaves and thus have less to spend for food.

“Sobrang nagdaan na po yung two weeks na mahirap kaya gusto ko lang po makatulong lang po kahit papano,” Sorongon said.

She said her restaurant business may be experiencing rough sailing with the closure of malls and related establishments per government directive to avoid the spread of the virus, but “meron naman na mga mas nangangailangan kaysa sa atin.”

Also as per government’s directive, restaurants can operate but only through taje-outs and deliveries.

“Ang delivery po namin gumagana parin po. Kahit po pa-konti konti. Despite na kami rin po down ..marami pa pong option na pewde kaming gawin para makatulong,” Sorongon said.

She added that fellow Good Samaritans have as well joined in her efforts:  “Nagpadala rin po ng relief kasama ng food namin ang mga kaibigan sa iba po na nangangailangan mostly sa Karama, Satwa at Bur Dubai.”

Sorongon said they have lost count as to how many jobless OFWs as well as those on forced leave or leave without pay, have benefitted from their food drive.

“Di na po namin nabibilang pero ang target ko po eh yung madami sa loob ng bahay…like 10 to 15 people na pwedeng matulungan kahit papano,” she said.

On a regular business day, food she is giving away could costs anywhere from Dh45 to Dh288, including one that counts among the restaurant’s house specialty – Shokuji Seafood Cajun.

Sorongon decided to spread goodwill after an award-winning photographer, Chris Calumberan with whom she had a job done to promote her restaurant and who felt she might not be able to fully pay him for the services, decided to buy food stuff for her and her staff instead.

COVID-19 tests to be conducted in densely populated areas

DUBAI: The government has temporarily suspended operations of the Dubai Metro as part of a city-wide 24-hour sterilization drive that started last night and will be in effect for the next two weeks.

In a series of tweets also last night, the Dubai Media Office, tasked to release government-related news, said Dubai’s Supreme Committee on Crisis and Disaster Management announced “round-the-clock sterilization” across the city and “enforce strict restrictions on movements” of residents with “legal action to be taken against violators.”

DMO also said, in another tweet that “extensive medical tests” will meantime be conducted in densely populated areas across Dubai to ensure that members of the community are not infected with the coronavirus.

“Individuals will not be allowed to leave the house except for essential purposes or, if they are working in vital sectors, exempted from the restrictions. These measures have been put in place to ensure (that) people undertake trips outside their homes on a planned and organized way,” DMO said.

Residents are allowed to go out when seeking medical assistance and for essential needs such as buying food and medicines, whereby only one member is allowed to leave the house for this purpose, DMA also tweeted.

The sterilization drive was initially implemented in the last week of March with effect from 8pm to 6am.

In a separate tweet, DMO said the Dubai Metro will temporarily close its doors  for the first time since it was launched Sept. 9, 2009 “as the entire world goes through a challenging time.”

DMO said only bus and taxi transportation will be open. 

UAE residence visa holders stranded outside the country will have to hold out for two more weeks following a decision by the government to extend the suspension of their re-entry into the country, which was first imposed on March 19, 2020 as part of anti-COVID-19 measures.

“The UAE has decided to renew, from today and for a renewable period of two weeks, the suspension of entry of all foreign nationals holding valid UAE residence visa, in a bid to contain the spread the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure their safety,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) said on its website, April 2, 2020.

Hundreds of resident visa holders who were outside the UAE on vacation and business trips were left with not much choice but to wait it out.

This developed as the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) on April 3, 2020, announced 240 new cases of the novel coronavirus in the UAE, bringing the total number of cases to 1,264.

There were 814 COVID-19 cases on April 1 as per MoHAP’s previous announcement.

MoHAP also said that 12 COVID-19 patients have fully recovered, which brought the tally at 108.

A 51-year-old Asian patient, who suffered from chronic diseases, including kidney failure have however died. The number of COVID-19 fatalities has now reached nine, according to MoHAP.

Around 13 of the COVID-19 patients were Filipinos of which three have recovered. There are approximately 750,000 Filipinos in the UAE.

Meantime, MOFAIC has requested those holding valid UAE visas, and now staying abroad, to register in the “Tawajudi for Residents” Service which has been recently launched through MOFAIC’s website to facilitate their safe return to the UAE in emergency situations. This, to ease the inconvenience of resident visa holders waiting to return to the country,

The website is https://www.mofaic.gov.ae/en 

Another measure is a three-month reprieve on fines for expired resident visas beginning March 1, which was announced on April 1 the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) – Dubai, based on a UAE Cabinet decision.

‘Na-exposed po ako sa COVID-19 positive patients and I started having flu symptoms after a few days. I am fine naman na. Just regaining strength for another fight…laban lang!’ – Teresa G. Lareza

DUBAI: In this time of coronavirus, a certain group of dedicated people working at the front lines of the war against the pandemic, has risen up to the challenge in a dramatic narrative about what others would call, the fight for preservation of the human race.

Teresa G. Lareza, mother of two and an emergency room nurse, who arrived in the United Kingdom around August last year, is among them. Having worked at a Dubai hospital’s ER for 12 years, Lareza thought of moving to the UK with her family and starting a new happier chapter in their lives.

Those plans, however, had to take a backseat.

The dreaded coronavirus has reached UK and as of press time, have over 29,000 confirmed cases of which around 2,350 have died, according to the British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC).

“Due to COVID-19, medyo ma-delay po pagkuha ko sa kanila. I-settle muna natin ang situation. Mas safe na din sila kung malayo sa akin. Alam mo na… na sa hospital tayo nagwo-work. All the risks, eh nandyan lang,” Lareza told Rappler in an interview from Cambridge in eastern England, where she is working as ER nurse.

Break

Lareza, who hails from Nueva Ecija, has recently taken a break from the ER shift.

“Na exposed po ako sa COVID-19 positive patients and I (started having) flu symptoms after a few days of exposure. Di na rin alam kung sino sa mga patients kasi sa emergency naman dadaan lahat (ang mga pasyente),” said Lareza.

She said she immediately underwent “symptomatic treatment.”

“In times like this, treat everyone as a potential COVID-19 (positive individual). Kaya kailangan lumayo muna sa public for seven days unless it becomes severe,” said Lareza, adding that medical treatment should be sought if the symptoms become severe.

Lareza, who had headed a big association of Filipino nurses in Dubai, said symptoms started manifesting on March 28.

“Sore throat, colds, occasional dry cough, headache, body aches and malaise,” was she described how she felt, which unfortunately fits on the COVID-19 checklist.

“Kung ano lang ang symptoms yun ang gamot, if may lagnat and body aches paracetamol,” she said, explaining “symptomatic treatment” in laymen’s terms.

“Rest ang pinaka-important. Boost immune system to fight against infection, like eating healthy food, fruits, veggies, more hydration, sleeping well, exercising and pray, pray, pray,” Lareza said.

Lareza said they have been anticipating a huge number of suspected COVID-19 cases.

“It’s a government hospital kaya expected na madami po. But it was already planned, like we have a red zone and green zone. Red zone for all suspected cases and green zone for non- COVID-19 and normal emergency situation. Protocol and standards (are also observed),” she said.

“I am working in one of the busiest hospitals in the east of England, but the situation is under control at the moment. There are a lot of changes but all these are for the better management of COVID-19,” she added.

Communication

Lareza said she has been constantly in touch with her family in Dubai – a 10-year-old boy; a 16-year-old girl and a husband engaged in IT, working from home.

“Opo alam nila. Constant communication naman po kami and there is nothing to worry. I am fine naman na. Just regaining strength for another fight…laban lang. ‘Wag matakot, nandyana naman si God. If God is with us who can be against us?” she said.

She added: “May mga support systems naman ditto. Hindi na rin nakaka-worry… mga kasama sa work, Filipinos and other nationalities, supported din naman ng hospital. I am having constant communication with family through social media, chat and video call.”

The new normal

Lareza said staying at home, quarantine and self-isolation are the new normal.

“Self-isolation is a new strategy/management to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Self-isolation, quarantine and staying at home are really essential to limit the spread of infection. Along with other hygiene practices,” she said.

 It can be boring, she said, “but if you’d think of the long-term benefits to many, eh that’s more important than boredom.”

Andami pwede gawin during self-quarantine if you’re feeling well. Otherwise, take that opportunity to pray more, rest, reflect and reconnect  to gain strength for another day and fight,” Lareza said.

She said that like everyone else, front liners like her are “also scared of what’s going on in the whole world.

“Prayer is our ultimate weapon in this situation. As a front liner we need to be strong in body, mind and spirit. Nakaka-awa ang situation ng buong mundo. In our little way or everyone’s contribution sana matapos na. Let’s all pray for the whole world,” Lareza said.

“All people holding any kind of UAE visas or residency will be exempted from any fines for a renewable period of three months.” — Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, Director General of the Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai

DUBAI: Resident visa holders in the UAE who have been stranded outside the country following suspension of all incoming and outgoing flights can finally heave a sigh of relief as they will be exempted from fines – at least, for the next three months.

This, according to Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al Marri, Director General of the Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai, who told a local TV show on Wednesday, April 1, that the reprieve was based on a UAE Cabinet decision issued this week.

“All people holding any kind of UAE visas or residency will be exempted from any fines for a renewable period of three months. Holders of UAE residency (who) are out of the country are part of the decision issued by our wise leadership,” local daily, Gulf News quoted Maj. Gen. Al Marri as saying during the interview with Dubai TV.

The senior Immigration official added: “There are different types of residency visas and all are exempted now as of March 1. They are also exempted from any financial penalties incurred under the current conditions.”

“The move is part of a series of precautionary and preventive measures to limit the negative consequences of the coronavirus outbreak on various sectors in the country. The decision aims to facilitate procedures for citizens, residents and visitors, ensure their health and safety, and support the work progress and continuity of government work in various entities and sectors,” Maj. Gen. Al Marri was further quoted as saying.

The UAE suspended all flights on March 19 as part of measures to prevent an outbreak of COVID-19 in the country. As a result, resident visa holders who were on leave or business trips outside of the country were left stranded at where they were.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced, also on April 1, that 150 new cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in the UAE, bringing the total number to 814.

It was the biggest single announcement made since the numbers started to sharply increase in March.

Around 13 of the COVID-19 patients were Filipinos of which three have recovered. There are approximately 750,000 Filipinos in the UAE.

MoHAP also revealed that two COVID-19 patients have died –  an Asian national and a GCC national aged 62 and 78, respectively. Both had chronic illnesses, including heart disease. The total number of deaths has now reached eight.

Past 4am. Must’ve been standing there by an empty road for about half an hour waiting for a cab when finally one came along.

Hopped in and was greeted by a bulky driver all smiles at me. Why not? His shift was about to be over and me his last passenger.

“Clock Tower,” I said. Exasperation hanging thick in my voice. Been a really long day and could only wish to see my bed and drop dead to the world.

It’s one of those lonely, long trips where you try to stay awake, engaging the driver in idle chat. “So, how long have you been in Dubai?” I asked the bespectacled man on the wheel, keeping my eyes on the surrounding buildings. The nice thing about Dubai is that she never loses her charm, not even in the dead of the night.

“Eighteen years,” was the reply, himself keeping to the road, negotiating a roundabout rotunda, a road design borrowed from the British of which Dubai has no shortage of.

“Wow!” I said. “How was Dubai back then?”

“Oh,” he said, “it was nice. No Kimra on the road.”

Kimra? I asked myself, pretending to know what he meant. “Yeah… Kimra that flashes to catch you speeding.” Camera! I told myself. Dubai’s main roads are nowadays filled with those roadside protuberances much like stationary laser speed guns that take photos of speeding cars’ plate numbers and automatically log fines through a central system against the erring motorist.

I wanted to regret striking a conversation because the guy talks a lot, kept asking me the English word for, say, mustache and if it has a plural form. “See? I know mustache. I know nostrils and forehead,” he’d say while touching his face.

Moving on with his monologue, he said they were taught English back in the day in Pakistan where he was from. “but I stopped on seventh grade,” he said, or something like that. “Why?” I ventured to ask hoping for a short reply. “We lived near Afghanistan and during those days, there was war with Russia. There were bombs and firing guns, so parents keep their children home,” he said in a relatively fine conversational English.

He said the place was right next to Tora Bora. I Googled later and found out the area was that of armed conflict.

So, I told myself, I am in a taxi driven by a man who grew up in a war-torn place and took his chances in this big city, where he said, he learned English through chats with his passengers.

No wonder, I told myself, he kept asking about English words and he has probably been doing the same to all other customers since he got here.

Don’t know if I’m making sense but Dubai is replete with stories like his – – people taking chances because there’s not one where they come from.

Ya Allah, I’m home…can’t wait for my bunk.

Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management has announced “heightened restrictions on the movement of people and traffic” for the next two weeks in Al Ras, a densely-populated community, and one of the emirate’s oldest with its traditional souks and narrow alleyways.

Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported that the restrictions are meant to “facilitate intensified sterilization procedures” from the morning of Tuesday, March 31.

“The decision to put in place heightened restrictions was taken due to the high density of population in the area, with the goal of safeguarding the health and safety of residents and to implement the highest level of preventive measures,” said the WAM report.

The General Command of Dubai Police confirmed that teams from the Dubai Health Authority will provide all essential supplies to the residents of the area during the two-week period, it added.

People who are not residents of Al Ras are prohibited from travelling to the area during the period, ENA said, adding that  Dubai’s Roads and Transports Authority (RTA) has announced a comprehensive plan to manage traffic and public transport modes in the Al Ras area, which includes the closure of entrances leading to the place from three main roads and interchanges: Al Musalla, Al Khaleej, and Baniyas Streets.

The plan also includes the closure of three stations on the Dubai metro green line: Al Ras, Palm Deira and Baniyas Square. The metro will pass through the area without stopping at these stations. Additionally, as per the plan, all bus routes to Baniyas area will be diverted to Al Musalla, Al Khaleej and Omar Bin Al Khattab streets, and all taxi movement to the area will be restricted.

New cases

Meantime, the number of COVID-19 positive individuals continue to rise as the government actively pursues testing of residents.

On March 30, Monday, the UAE Government announced the detection of 41 new coronavirus cases among various nationalities, taking to 611 the number of infections in the country, of which 61 have recuperated and five have died.

The government also announced the full recovery of three patients and the death of two others due to health complications. A 48-year-old Arab national died while suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, while an Asian national who died at age 42 also suffered from heart disease. COVID-19 fatalities have now reached five in the UAE, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) said.

36 infections traced to 1 COVID-19 positive person

Dr. Farida Al Hosani, MoHAP spokesperson, said two of the 41 new cases were under intensive case as of press time.

She added that at least one of the confirmed cases had been in contact with others and infected 36 people.

She said the UAE Department of Health, on directives from His Highness, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces,  set up drive-through centers across the UAE to test for the coronavirus following the launch of the first of such in Abu Dhabi.

The test centres will open in Dubai, Sharjah (which will also serve Ajman and Umm al Qaiwain), Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra to provide rapid testing for citizens and residents across the UAE using the latest medical technology. Priority will be given to people suffering from respiratory and chronic diseases, senior citizens, and pregnant women.

COVID-19 positive Filipinos

There is one Filipino in the latest batch of 41 COVID-19 positive individuals, according to MoHAP.

As per MoHAP’s previous announcements, this brought to 12 the total number of Filipinos who have tested positive for the coronavirus since Feb. 8.

There were already five COVID-19 positive Filipinos by March 15; and eight by March 24.

The number further climbed to 11 on March 25 with the detection of three more new infections.

Three of the Filipino COVID-19 patients have recovered, MoHAP said.

As 63 new coronavirus cases are reported, which brought the total at 468, the UAE government extended its nationwide disinfection drive for an additional week to contain the outbreak.

The drive started in the evening of Thursday March 26 and was supposed to end tomorrow, Sunday March 19.

Measures have been put in place including the temporary closure of restaurants, gyms and spas, theaters and beaches among others even as residents are urged to stay at home with stiff penalties in place against violators.

Here meantime are snaps of Dubai as the city digs on against the coronavirus.

Public transportation, including buses and the metro, will grind to a halt starting tonight till Sunday to make way for the “National Disinfection Programme,” which entails a complete sterilization of all public utilities during the weekend.

This was announced early today by the Emirates News Agency (ENA) citing the  Ministry of Health Prevention (MoHAP) and the Ministry of Interior (MoI) which will be spearheading this in collaboration with relevant federal and local authorities.

The activity will begin tonight at 8pm and ends at 6am on Sunday, March 29, 2020.

During this period, the movement of the traffic and the public will be restricted, while public transpiration and metro services will be halted.

MoHAP urged the public to stay at home during the disinfection time and not to go out unless it’s absolutely necessary to get essential supplies, such as food and medicine, or working in vital sectors, including energy, telcommunications, health, education, security, law enforcement, military, postal service, shipping and logistics, medicines, water, food, civil aviation, airports, passports, banking & financial services, government media and the service sectors, including petrol stations and construction. The workers’ personal or work identity will be checked and verified.

Pharmacies, and food retail outlets in the UAE, including cooperative societies, grocery stores, and supermarkets, will be allowed to operate 24 hours, as per a circular issued earlier by the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, NCEMA.

The two ministries also called upon the community members to follow instructions during the sanitation time for their safety and in compliance with the precautionary measures taken by the UAE contain the coronavirus.