All cases of coronavirus detected in the UAE can be traced to a confirmed carrier of the illness, officials have said.
As confirmed positive tests increase, health officials moved to reassure the public on Saturday, and said the Covid-19 infection was not yet spreading freely in the Emirates.
The number of UAE infections rose to 45 over the weekend.
While there has been “local transmission” of cases within the country, according to the WHO, the sources of the infection had all been traced, the Ministry of Health said.
“Most confirmed cases were uncovered thanks to the early detection at entry points,” Dr Nada Al Marzouqi, a ministry spokesperson, said at a press conference on Saturday, in response to a question about whether all cases could be traced to outside the UAE.
Yesterday, the UAE government issued new guidance on how to self-quarantine at home, for people who may have come into contact with a coronavirus carrier.
New screening measures have also been introduced at several major international points of entry, with members of the public urged to avoid non-essential foreign travel.
Of the 45 cases so far identified, seven people have fully recovered while two are in intensive care.
Several cases were linked to a major international cycle tour, the latter stages of which was cancelled.
Tests are awaited for 26 hotel guests who came into contact with cycle tour members, 56 cyclists and 236 hotel employees, Dr Al Marzouqi said.
She called for public support in helping to contain the spread of the virus, urging residents to ignore “rumours” and have trust in the authorities, while following basic hygiene measures such as hand washing.
“The community is called upon to co-operate with the authorities to maintain public health,” she said.
“We also call upon you to trust the measures that are put in place by the competent authorities to contain the virus.
The success of our efforts is dependent on cooperation as individuals and organisations. This is a national responsibility we all share.”
From March 8, schools and universities across the country will be shut for two weeks. A fortnight-long distance learning initiative will then begin on March 22.
Two of the coronavirus cases identified have been associated with schools.
Most confirmed cases were uncovered thanks to the early detection at entry points
Parents were urged to help their children with remote learning platforms which schools have put into place.
A special hotline has been set up to provide help to pupils and parents with the new system.
“We reassure you that all the teachers and administrative staff in our institutions are working diligently on ensuring the success of e-learning,” Amna Al Dahak, assistant undersecretary at the Ministry of Education, said.
“This is why we would like to ask all parents to follow up and support their children in their e-learning process. We have launched many activities online through these systems.”
So far, 620 schools are fully equipped for remote learning with 508 principals trained on new systems. Some teachers have also received training, Dr Al Dahak said.
School nurses and even bus drivers are receiving training to spot potential coronavirus cases.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has temporarily closed its land borders with the UAE to all vehicles except for “commercial trucks”.
The same entry restrictions were imposed on Kuwait and Bahrain. Visitors can instead fly into three airports in the Kingdom.
The number of cases reported globally passed 100,000, with more than 3,000 deaths, the majority of which occurred in China.
In Vatican City, it was announced that Pope Francis will not appear in St Peter's Square, to avoid people gathering amid the outbreak.
His general audiences will also be streamed with no participants at papal morning Masses until 15 March, the Vatican announced.
In Italy, the death toll from Covid-19 in Italy has risen to 197 after the largest daily increase in fatalities there since the outbreak began.
Racecard
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The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Gender pay parity on track in the UAE
The UAE has a good record on gender pay parity, according to Mercer's Total Remuneration Study.
"In some of the lower levels of jobs women tend to be paid more than men, primarily because men are employed in blue collar jobs and women tend to be employed in white collar jobs which pay better," said Ted Raffoul, career products leader, Mena at Mercer. "I am yet to see a company in the UAE – particularly when you are looking at a blue chip multinationals or some of the bigger local companies – that actively discriminates when it comes to gender on pay."
Mr Raffoul said most gender issues are actually due to the cultural class, as the population is dominated by Asian and Arab cultures where men are generally expected to work and earn whereas women are meant to start a family.
"For that reason, we see a different gender gap. There are less women in senior roles because women tend to focus less on this but that’s not due to any companies having a policy penalising women for any reasons – it’s a cultural thing," he said.
As a result, Mr Raffoul said many companies in the UAE are coming up with benefit package programmes to help working mothers and the career development of women in general.
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company profile
Company: Eighty6
Date started: October 2021
Founders: Abdul Kader Saadi and Anwar Nusseibeh
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Hospitality
Size: 25 employees
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investment: $1 million
Investors: Seed funding, angel investors
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Company%20profile
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What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying or online bullying could take many forms such as sending unkind or rude messages to someone, socially isolating people from groups, sharing embarrassing pictures of them, or spreading rumors about them.
Cyberbullying can take place on various platforms such as messages, on social media, on group chats, or games.
Parents should watch out for behavioural changes in their children.
When children are being bullied they they may be feel embarrassed and isolated, so parents should watch out for signs of signs of depression and anxiety
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 502hp at 7,600rpm
Torque: 637Nm at 5,150rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh317,671
On sale: now
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
The design
The protective shell is covered in solar panels to make use of light and produce energy. This will drastically reduce energy loss.
More than 80 per cent of the energy consumed by the French pavilion will be produced by the sun.
The architecture will control light sources to provide a highly insulated and airtight building.
The forecourt is protected from the sun and the plants will refresh the inner spaces.
A micro water treatment plant will recycle used water to supply the irrigation for the plants and to flush the toilets. This will reduce the pavilion’s need for fresh water by 30 per cent.
Energy-saving equipment will be used for all lighting and projections.
Beyond its use for the expo, the pavilion will be easy to dismantle and reuse the material.
Some elements of the metal frame can be prefabricated in a factory.
From architects to sound technicians and construction companies, a group of experts from 10 companies have created the pavilion.
Work will begin in May; the first stone will be laid in Dubai in the second quarter of 2019.
Construction of the pavilion will take 17 months from May 2019 to September 2020.
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
My Country: A Syrian Memoir
Kassem Eid, Bloomsbury
