Coronavirus: UAE reports lowest daily cases of 2021

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The UAE has reported 1,066 new coronavirus cases, the lowest since the beginning of the year.

The figures on Saturday were released after 301,430 PCR tests were carried out in the emirates.

On Friday, 1,070 Covid-19 cases were reported in the UAE.

The daily caseload brings the total number of infections to 708,302.

Residents receive Covid-19 vaccinations at the Seha Drive-Through Service Centre at the Corniche Abu Dhabi.

A nurse gives a vaccine shot at Prime Hospital in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

UAE authorities have urged the public to book their Covid-19 booster shot after they have received two doses of a coronavirus vaccine.

An Abu Dhabi private education staff member has her blood pressure checked before receiving the Covid-19 vaccine.

Hundreds of pupils from Delhi Private School Dubai queue up with their parents to get inoculated. Courtesy: Delhi Private School Dubai

A healthcare worker administers a dose of the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine at a vaccination site inside the parking garage of the Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh Temple in Dubai

Shenaz Abdul Salam, 13 gets vaccinated at the Seha Covid-19 Drive-Through Service Centre at the Corniche in Abu Dhabi.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention also announced four deaths due to Covid-19 complications, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 2,018.

Another 1,633 people beat the virus and the total number of recoveries reached 689,277.

Meanwhile, rules in Abu Dhabi regarding access to public places came into effect on Friday.

Under the measures, which apply to citizens, residents and tourists, proof of vaccination will be required to visit most venues, including malls, restaurants and cafes.

The Covid-19 safety regulations are designed to curb the spread of the virus and safeguard public health.

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THE BIO

Age: 33

Favourite quote: “If you’re going through hell, keep going” Winston Churchill

Favourite breed of dog: All of them. I can’t possibly pick a favourite.

Favourite place in the UAE: The Stray Dogs Centre in Umm Al Quwain. It sounds predictable, but it honestly is my favourite place to spend time. Surrounded by hundreds of dogs that love you - what could possibly be better than that?

Favourite colour: All the colours that dogs come in

The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index

Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.

The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.

“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.

“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”

Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.

Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.

“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.