Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi DoH says claims of residential area case are untrue

The UAE Tour cycling race was cancelled as two support team members tested positive for Covid-19

People wearing protective masks visit Arab Health Exhibition 2020 in Gulf emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 29 January 2020. EPA

The Abu Dhabi Department of Health (DoH) has dismissed claims alleging that a coronavirus case had been discovered in a residential compound in Abu Dhabi on Saturday as untrue.

"The Ministry of Health and Prevention is the official source of information on Covid-19 in the UAE," DoH – Abu Dhabi said in a statement on Saturday evening.

The DoH urged the public to rely only on official sources when dealing with all news related to the novel virus.

"The health sector in Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Prevention, is following strict precautionary measures in line with best international standards approved by the World Health Organisation in combatting pandemics and diseases, including Covid-19," the statement added.

The DoH said that protecting the public was the top priority and all required measures are being taken to curb the spread of the virus outbreak.

These precautionary measures, said the DoH, are being taken in collaboration with all competent bodies and partners in the UAE and include early epidemiologic and clinical investigations.

The precautions also involve providing qualified medical teams working 24/7 and check-up of all those in contact with the reported cases.

Earlier, the UAE Tour cycling race was cancelled after two support team members tested positive and dozens were quarantined at two Yas Island hotels in Abu Dhabi.

The two Italians who had tested positive for Covid-19 were among the technical crew, who typically do not mix with participants in the event, Dr Abdulrahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention said on Saturday.

The minister made the statements at a joint news conference with Hussain Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, at the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

There are 21 novel coronavirus cases in the UAE, five of whom have already recovered, the health minister added.

Nurseries and kindergartens across the Emirates were temporarily closed from Sunday and school trips were banned as a precautionary move to limit the spread of Covid-19.

"We are constantly assessing the situation and will take any measures required to ensure the safety of our students," said Mr Al Hammadi.

"We have earlier issued a circular to suspend all student activities inside and outside the country until further notice. Another circular has already been issued allowing any student having flu symptoms to stay home until full recovery."

Meanwhile, two aircraft planes were on standby to evacuate UAE citizens from Iran, where according to the government, 43 people have died out of at least 593 identified cases. However, other reports suggest the number of fatalities is at least 200.