Coronavirus: UAE announces 277 new Covid-19 cases

Authorities say the high numbers of cases are a result of widespread testing and are not cause for concern

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  Carrefour shoppers at the parking lot with their groceries at the Yas Mall. Victor Besa / The National

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  People wearing protective face mask after doing shopping at the Carrefour supermarket in Ibn Battuta mall in Dubai. UAE government told residents to wear facemask and gloves all the times outside the home. Pawan Singh / The National

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  A grocery shopper with a face mask on at Souk Planet, Khalifa City. Face masks should be worn at all times when outside the home, the UAE government said on Saturday. Victor Besa / The National

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  People wearing protective face mask after doing shopping at the Carrefour in Discovery Pavilion in Discovery Gardens area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

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  A delivery driver stacks water to provide to residents in an extremely quiet Jumeirah Beach Residence in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  One of the shopper with protective face mask after doing shopping at the Carrefour supermarket in Ibn Battuta mall in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, April 5, 2020. Grocery shoppers with face mask s on at Souk Planet, Khalifa City. Face masks should be worn at all times when outside the home, the UAE government said on Saturday. Victor Besa / The National

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  A construction worker crosses the street with a mask on at Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Face masks should be worn at all times when outside the home. Victor Besa / The National

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  A lone Zomato delivery man crosses the Al Bandar overpass at Khalifa City. Victor Besa / The National

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  The Warner Brothers theme park on Yas Island was temporarily closed during the pandemic. Victor Besa / The National

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  Barriers in place at Sunset Beach near Jumeirah Beach Hotel, during the height of the pandemic. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  A cleaner drives a street sweeper in Jumeirah, Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  Pharmacies across the country have seen a spike in sales of face masks. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  A man prays alone in a car park in Sharjah when mosques, churches and temples were temporarily closed. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  Lines of taxis sit outside Global Village in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A healthcare worker on her way to work on a gloomy Monday morning at the Al Mushrif area of Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  During the height of the pandemic the RTA closed entrances leading to Al Ras area of Dubai from three main roads and interchanges: Al Musalla, Al Khaleej, and Baniyas Streets. Reem Mohammed / The National

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  An empty Sunset Beach located between the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Kite Beach in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  A man walks, while wearing a mask, to get to work in Dubai during the stay home policy in the UAE. Antonie Robertson / The National .

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  A man cleans the Barsha Heights welcome sign at the entrance to the neighbourhood in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management announced increased restrictions on movement in Al Ras area of Dubai for two weeks to facilitate intensified sterilisation procedures in 2020. Reem Mohammed / The National

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  A sign at Global Village thanking Dubai's heroes. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A man waits on the street with a face mask on outside a restaurant in Barsha Heights in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The UAE registered 277 new cases of coronavirus, 23 recoveries and one death on Monday.

The new figures brought the country’s tallies to 2076 total cases, 167 recoveries and 11 deaths. The person who died "due to complications" on Monday was from an Asian country but no further details were released.

The announcements were made by Dr Farida Al Hosani, spokeswoman for the UAE health sector, who said people should not be concerned about the rise in cases. She said these were high as a result of widespread testing being conducted across the country.

"Our health system is strong and we are continuously monitoring and investigating patients to discover more cases and ultimately reduce the spread of coronavirus," she said.

We must join our efforts together in solidarity and, with your support, we can overcome these difficulties

"The UAE, with all its medical personnel, is able to discover the virus and its locations as soon as possible. We do not view the increase in cases with a negative view, but rather the opposite."

She said the increased effort to test and identify new cases would only "enhance our success to contain all infections and reduce the spread of the virus."

Dr Al Hosani said the government would continue to ensure that the basic needs of Emiratis and residents were being met.

She pointed to online food delivery services and reports of delays in deliveries for online supermarket shopping.

She said the government was working with private sector companies to come up with solutions to ensure there are no more delays and she would present a solution within 48 hours, at the next briefing.

As Ramadan approaches, an annual event typically celebrated in the Gulf is also nearing.

Haq Al Laila – also known as gerga'an – is an annual celebration where children go door-to-door, signing for sweets from their family, friends and neighbours.

Dr Al Hosani said this year's celebration should be forgone for the sake of safety.

"Today the situation is totally different and, for the safety of everyone, we should avoid this [celebration].

"Having our children go out and to other people’s homes and share food is not safe right now," she said.

She reiterated the government's latest advice on masks, saying they must be worn whenever someone leaves their home.

She said disposable masks should not be reused and should be thrown away in a sealed bag.

"We must join our efforts together in solidarity and, with your support, we can overcome these difficulties," she said.

Dr Al Hosani then answered questions from the media:

What is the probability of the average person in the UAE catching the virus?

"Anyone can catch Covid-19 by coming into contact with someone else who is infected. It is for this reason that we recommend people practice social distancing, wash their hands frequently and sanitise surfaces often," she said.

Which hospitals are accepting Covid-19 cases?

Dr Al Hosani said that all hospitals generally accept coronavirus cases but some are specialised for this purpose, such as Al Rahba Hospital in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain  Hospitals.

Tests can be carried out in swab centres including the drive-through facility at Zayed Sports City.

For emergency cases, patients should visit hospitals that take emergency cases. It is best to call ahead to warn them.

For suspected cases with mild symptoms, Dr Al Hosani recommended phoning calls centres in each emirate such as the Ministry of Health and Prevention: 8001111, Department of Health Abu Dhabi: 8001717 and Dubai Health Authority: 800342

Can you become infected with Covid-19 from insects?

No. Insects such as mosquitoes cannot pass coronavirus on to humans because the virus attacks the respiratory system not the blood.

What is the advice you give for people when they go to the supermarket?

"If you have to go shopping for food and essential items, leave your children and other family members at home. It is safest if only one person goes shopping. While shopping, remember to maintain a distance from other people," she said.

Are Covid-19 tests available for all or is there a priority group?

"Priority is given to people with respiratory symptoms, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases. These are considered high risk groups," she said.

Dr Al Hosani recommended that, should someone want to be tested, they phone one of the call centres to book an appointment. Appointments are needed to avoid crowding in centres.

"We are increasing the number of tests to curb the spread of the coronavirus," she said,