• Indian students apply the finishing touches to paintings created to raise awareness of the variant in Mumbai. Reuters
    Indian students apply the finishing touches to paintings created to raise awareness of the variant in Mumbai. Reuters
  • International travellers wearing personal protective equipment arrive at Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport as Australia records its first cases of the Omicron variant. AFP
    International travellers wearing personal protective equipment arrive at Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport as Australia records its first cases of the Omicron variant. AFP
  • A greeting at the international terminal of Sydney Airport, as countries respond to the new variant. Reuters
    A greeting at the international terminal of Sydney Airport, as countries respond to the new variant. Reuters
  • A sign asking people to wear face coverings in a building in Manhattan as the newly discovered Omicron variant appears in countries around the world. AFP
    A sign asking people to wear face coverings in a building in Manhattan as the newly discovered Omicron variant appears in countries around the world. AFP
  • Tourists wave as the ‘Europa’ passenger liner arrives in South African waters off Cape Town as the new coronavirus variant Omicron spreads in other countries. Reuters
    Tourists wave as the ‘Europa’ passenger liner arrives in South African waters off Cape Town as the new coronavirus variant Omicron spreads in other countries. Reuters
  • Schiphol airport in Amsterdam. Dutch health authorities said they have found another case of the Omicron Covid-19 variant among passengers arriving from South Africa, bringing the country’s total to 14. AFP
    Schiphol airport in Amsterdam. Dutch health authorities said they have found another case of the Omicron Covid-19 variant among passengers arriving from South Africa, bringing the country’s total to 14. AFP
  • Pupils wear face masks in Beijing. Despite the global worry, scientists say it remains unclear whether the Omicron variant is more dangerous than other strains of the virus. AP
    Pupils wear face masks in Beijing. Despite the global worry, scientists say it remains unclear whether the Omicron variant is more dangerous than other strains of the virus. AP
  • People wearing face masks in Manhattan. New York's governor has declared a state of emergency due to the risk of a surge of Covid-19 cases as winter sets in. AFP
    People wearing face masks in Manhattan. New York's governor has declared a state of emergency due to the risk of a surge of Covid-19 cases as winter sets in. AFP
  • British Health Secretary Sajid Javid meets a member of staff at a vaccine centre in Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London. Getty Images
    British Health Secretary Sajid Javid meets a member of staff at a vaccine centre in Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London. Getty Images
  • A sign points the way to a Covid-19 test centre at Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands. AFP
    A sign points the way to a Covid-19 test centre at Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands. AFP
  • Narita International Airport in Japan is quiet after travel was restricted to prevent the spread of Omicron. Reuters
    Narita International Airport in Japan is quiet after travel was restricted to prevent the spread of Omicron. Reuters
  • A PCR test at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. AFP
    A PCR test at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. AFP
  • Soekarno Hatta International airport. Indonesia has banned the arrival of travellers who have recently been in eight southern African countries. Reuters
    Soekarno Hatta International airport. Indonesia has banned the arrival of travellers who have recently been in eight southern African countries. Reuters
  • Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok after Thailand banned entry from eight southern African countries due to the Omicron variant. Reuters
    Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok after Thailand banned entry from eight southern African countries due to the Omicron variant. Reuters
  • Travellers wear personal protective equipment outside the international terminal at Sydney Airport, Australia. Reuters
    Travellers wear personal protective equipment outside the international terminal at Sydney Airport, Australia. Reuters
  • Passengers wearing protective gear at Incheon International Airport in South Korea, where health authorities have imposed an entry ban on foreign arrivals from eight African countries, including South Africa. EPA
    Passengers wearing protective gear at Incheon International Airport in South Korea, where health authorities have imposed an entry ban on foreign arrivals from eight African countries, including South Africa. EPA
  • Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. The Israeli government approved a 14-day ban on foreign arrivals over concerns about Omicron. EPA
    Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. The Israeli government approved a 14-day ban on foreign arrivals over concerns about Omicron. EPA
  • Travellers queuing in the hope of boarding an overbooked Lufthansa flight at Cape Town International Airport. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Travellers queuing in the hope of boarding an overbooked Lufthansa flight at Cape Town International Airport. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Covid-stricken Czech President Milos Zeman sits in a plastic cage as he appoints Petr Fiala as Prime Minister, near Prague. AFP
    Covid-stricken Czech President Milos Zeman sits in a plastic cage as he appoints Petr Fiala as Prime Minister, near Prague. AFP
  • Tourists checking in at Cape Town International Airport in South Africa. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Tourists checking in at Cape Town International Airport in South Africa. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Several airlines have stopped flying out of South Africa amid the spread of the new variant, causing disruption at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Reuters
    Several airlines have stopped flying out of South Africa amid the spread of the new variant, causing disruption at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Reuters
  • Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Two cases of the recently discovered Omicron variant were detected in New South Wales. EPA
    Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Two cases of the recently discovered Omicron variant were detected in New South Wales. EPA
  • Passengers, many not wearing face coverings, on the London Underground. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said mandatory mask-wearing would return to shops and public transport in England but there are concerns over how the rule will be enforced. AFP
    Passengers, many not wearing face coverings, on the London Underground. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said mandatory mask-wearing would return to shops and public transport in England but there are concerns over how the rule will be enforced. AFP
  • A stroll, with face masks, in Biarritz, south-western France. French Health Minister Olivier Veran said France had no confirmed cases of the Omicron variant and was not changing its strategy of increasing vaccinations and booster shots. AP
    A stroll, with face masks, in Biarritz, south-western France. French Health Minister Olivier Veran said France had no confirmed cases of the Omicron variant and was not changing its strategy of increasing vaccinations and booster shots. AP
  • British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty during a press conference on the variant in London. Reuters
    British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty during a press conference on the variant in London. Reuters

UAE

Health

Coronavirus: UAE confirms first case of Omicron variant

Health authorities register first case on Wednesday

The National

December 01, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Live updates: follow the latest news on Covid-19 variant Omicron

UAE health authorities on Wednesday registered the country's first case of the Omicron coronavirus variant.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention said it had been detected in an African woman coming from an African country through an Arab nation, without specifying which.

The woman has been isolated and those who had contact with her were also traced and isolated.

She had not shown any symptoms but her condition was being monitored.

The woman had been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

The ministry reiterated the importance of getting vaccinated, including the booster shot, to tackle the spread of new variants.

Omicron, described as a "variant of concern" by the World Health Organisation, has been found in scores of countries around the world.

Fears about the variant have seen the reintroduction of travel curbs and Covid-19 restrictions.

The UAE suspended the entry of travellers from several countries in response to the variant.

But the WHO on Wednesday said there was no reason to panic about the variant, which was identified by South African researchers and named a variant of concern by the WHO on November 26.

Since then it has been found in 24 countries. The first case of Omicron was also detected in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

“Risk of Covid-19 overall is high,” Dr Abdinasir Abubakar, manager of the WHO's Eastern Mediterranean office's Infectious Hazards Prevention, said on Wednesday.

"Unless we generate enough evidence as to why the Omicron variant is different, there is no reason to panic.

"We have enough tools to limit the spread of this variant."

Covid-19 variant in South Africa - in pictures

  • A healthcare worker prepares to conduct a PCR test for the coronavirus at the Lancet laboratory in Johannesburg. AFP
    A healthcare worker prepares to conduct a PCR test for the coronavirus at the Lancet laboratory in Johannesburg. AFP
  • A woman is tested for Covid-19 at the Lenasia South Hospital, near Johannesburg. AP
    A woman is tested for Covid-19 at the Lenasia South Hospital, near Johannesburg. AP
  • A Johnson & Johnson booster vaccine is prepared at the Vaccination Centre of Hope at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in Cape Town. AP
    A Johnson & Johnson booster vaccine is prepared at the Vaccination Centre of Hope at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in Cape Town. AP
  • A woman is vaccinated against Covid-19 in Lawley, south of Johannesburg. AP
    A woman is vaccinated against Covid-19 in Lawley, south of Johannesburg. AP
  • People line up to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in Lawley. AP
    People line up to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in Lawley. AP
  • People queue to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in Lenasia South, near Johannesburg. AP Photo
    People queue to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in Lenasia South, near Johannesburg. AP Photo
  • Pupils wear face masks in class at the Kgololo Academy in Alexandra township, Johannesburg. AP
    Pupils wear face masks in class at the Kgololo Academy in Alexandra township, Johannesburg. AP
  • Pupils wear their masks in the playground at Kgololo Academy. AP
    Pupils wear their masks in the playground at Kgololo Academy. AP
  • Passengers wearing masks at Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport. AP
    Passengers wearing masks at Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport. AP
  • Passengers prepare to check in at a quiet OR Tambo International Airport. Many flights at the continent's busiest airport were cancelled amid the spread of the new variant. EPA
    Passengers prepare to check in at a quiet OR Tambo International Airport. Many flights at the continent's busiest airport were cancelled amid the spread of the new variant. EPA
  • Graffiti in Soweto educates about the dangers of the coronavirus. EPA
    Graffiti in Soweto educates about the dangers of the coronavirus. EPA
Champions parade (UAE timings)

7pm Gates open

8pm Deansgate stage showing starts

9pm Parade starts at Manchester Cathedral

9.45pm Parade ends at Peter Street

10pm City players on stage

11pm event ends

Skoda Superb Specs

Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol

Power: 190hp

Torque: 320Nm

Price: From Dh147,000

Available: Now

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Gulf Under 19s final

Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
World Mental Health Day
Inside%20Out%202
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EKelsey%20Mann%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%C2%A0Amy%20Poehler%2C%20Maya%20Hawke%2C%20Ayo%20Edebiri%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Liverpool’s fixtures until end of 2019

Saturday, November 30, Brighton (h)

Wednesday, December 4, Everton (h)

Saturday, December 7, Bournemouth (a)

Tuesday, December 10, Salzburg (a) CL

Saturday, December 14, Watford (h)

Tuesday, December 17, Aston Villa (a) League Cup

Wednesday, December 18, Club World Cup in Qatar

Saturday, December 21, Club World Cup in Qatar

Thursday, December 26, Leicester (a)

Sunday, December 29, Wolves (h)

Mental%20health%20support%20in%20the%20UAE
%3Cp%3E%E2%97%8F%20Estijaba%20helpline%3A%208001717%3Cbr%3E%E2%97%8F%20UAE%20Ministry%20of%20Health%20and%20Prevention%20hotline%3A%20045192519%3Cbr%3E%E2%97%8F%20UAE%20Mental%20health%20support%20line%3A%20800%204673%20(Hope)%3Cbr%3EMore%20information%20at%20hope.hw.gov.ae%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Straightforward ways to reduce sugar in your family's diet
  • Ban fruit juice and sodas
  • Eat a hearty breakfast that contains fats and wholegrains, such as peanut butter on multigrain toast or full-fat plain yoghurt with whole fruit and nuts, to avoid the need for a 10am snack
  • Give young children plain yoghurt with whole fruits mashed into it
  • Reduce the number of cakes, biscuits and sweets. Reserve them for a treat
  • Don’t eat dessert every day 
  • Make your own smoothies. Always use the whole fruit to maintain the benefit of its fibre content and don’t add any sweeteners
  • Always go for natural whole foods over processed, packaged foods. Ask yourself would your grandmother have eaten it?
  • Read food labels if you really do feel the need to buy processed food
  • Eat everything in moderation
Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

'Midnights'
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EArtist%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Taylor%20Swift%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ELabel%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Republic%20Records%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Jewel of the Expo 2020

252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome

13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas

550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome

724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses

Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa

Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site

The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants

Al Wasl means connection in Arabic

World’s largest 360-degree projection surface

Kareem Shaheen on Canada

Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199

The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn

Price, base / as tested: Dhxxx
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km

Soldier F

“I was in complete disgust at the fact that only one person was to be charged for Bloody Sunday.

“Somebody later said to me, 'you just watch - they'll drop the charge against him'. And sure enough, the charges against Soldier F would go on to be dropped.

“It's pretty hard to think that 50 years on, the State is still covering up for what happened on Bloody Sunday.”

Jimmy Duddy, nephew of John Johnson

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Lamsa

Founder: Badr Ward

Launched: 2014

Employees: 60

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: EdTech

Funding to date: $15 million

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Updated: December 02, 2021, 4:35 AM
CoronavirusUAEAbu DhabiDubai