Fresh milestone crossed in UAE: 2.5m Covid-19 tests; recovery rate rises to 55%

With 52,996 more Covid-19 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, the UAE has crossed a new milestone of 2.5 million tests while global cases neared seven million on Saturday.

Also, fifteen medical centers across the country have been allocated to pregnant women, reducing their risk of getting exposed to the Covid-19 virus as they go for their health checks, the Ministry of Health and Prevention has announced.

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention announced 626 new cases of Covid-19 infections, 724 cases of recovery, and one death. This brings to total number of cases to 38,268, recoveries to 21,061, and the deaths to 275 in the country.

With more recoveries than new cases in the country, the number of active cases in the UAE has declined over the last two days and now stands at 16,932. The country’s intense focus on testing early, protecting the vulnerable and treating comprehensively has led to a healthy recovery rate of 55 per cent compared with the global average of 48 per cent.

Dr Farida Al Hosani, official Spokesperson for the UAE Health Sector, said that in light of these exceptional circumstances, it is mandatory for all residents to maintain a healthy lifestyle and practice strict hygiene. “Our commitment is a national obligation that will help us to tide over this crisis,” she added.

About 30 per cent of global cases, or 2 million infections, are in the United States. Latin America has the second-largest outbreak with over 15 per cent of cases. Globally, deaths from the novel coronavirus are approaching 400,000.

The number of deaths linked to Covid-19 in just five months is now equal to the number of people who die annually from malaria, one of the world’s most deadly infectious diseases.

The United States has the highest death toll in the world at almost 110,000. Fatalities in Brazil are rising rapidly and the country may overtake the United Kingdom to have the second-largest number of deaths in the world.

15 medical centers allocated for pregnant women

Fifteen medical centers across the country have been allocated to pregnant women, reducing their risk of getting exposed to the Covid-19 virus as they go for their health checks, the Ministry of Health and Prevention has announced.

Each emirate will have specific centers where stringent safety measures will be implemented, the ministry added.

Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah will each have four centers for pregnant women, while Ajman will have two. A hospital in Umm Al Quwain will also be identified, reports said. Those in Dubai may visit the family medical center to be allocated in Sharjah.

The ministry advised expectant mothers to continue their check-ups to stay healthy amid the pandemic situation. In case of emergencies, they must seek medical care immediately, it added.

If someone in their house presents symptoms of Covid-19, they must follow all precautionary measures and notify health centers right away, the ministry said.