Coronavirus: UAE announces new Covid-19 case

The new case brings the UAE's total to 86, including 23 recoveries

Employees of the Istanbul Municipality wearing protective gear disinfects a subway carriage to prevent the spread of the COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus, in Istanbul. Turkey announced on March 11, 2020 its first coronavirus case, a man who had recently travelled to Europe and is in good health. Turkey has announced several measures in recent weeks to try and stop the virus reaching the country, including thermal cameras at airports, cancelling flights to affected countries and closing its border with Iran. AFP

Palestinian workers wearing protective gear, pray in the courtyard of the al-Omari mosque, after spraying disinfectant products as a means of prevention against the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19, in Gaza City. AFP

An Iranian couple use an escalator on a pedestrian bridge during coronavirus crises in Tehran, Iran. According to the last report by the Ministry of Health, 10,075 people were diagnosed with the Covid-19 coronavirus and 429 people have died in Iran. EPA

A photograph taken on March 13, 2020 shows the entrance of a mosque that remains shut in the Iranian capital Tehran, after measures were taken to slow down the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19. The outbreak of the virus in Iran is one of the deadliest outside China, where the disease originated. Several politicians and officials both sitting and former have been infected, with some dying from the illness. AFP

Iranians wearing face masks and protective gloves go shopping in a bazaar during the coronavirus pandemic in Tehran, Iran. Media reported the Iranian economy is effected by Covid-19 coronavirus crises as many people started to self-quarantine and to stop going out as much as they can. According to the last report by the Ministry of Health, 10,075 people were diagnosed with the Covid-19 coronavirus and 429 people have died in Iran. EPA

People, some wearing protective face masks, walk past shops along outside the Tajrish Bazaar in Iran's capital Tehran. Iran said on March 12 that it had asked the IMF for its first loan in decades to combat the COVID-19 coronavirus disease outbreak that has claimed 429 lives and infected more than 10,000 people. AFP

People, some wearing protective face masks, grocers stalls displaying produce at the Tajrish Bazaar in Iran's capital Tehran. Iran said on March 12 that it had asked the IMF for its first loan in decades to combat the COVID-19 coronavirus disease outbreak that has claimed 429 lives and infected more than 10,000 people. AFP

Lebanese men wearing protective masks smoke water pipe or nargileh in Beirut. Lebanon suspended flights from countries hit hardest by the novel coronavirus after announcing its second death from the pandemic in two days. The Mediterranean nation has recorded at least 61 cases of COVID-19. Prime Minister Hassan Diab said Lebanon would suspend all trips to and from Italy, South Korea, Iran and China, the hardest-hit countries. AFP

A member of the Istanbul's Municipality disinfects the Kilic Ali Pasa Mosque to prevent the spread of the COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, in Istanbul. Turkey announced on March 11, 2020 its first coronavirus case, a man who had recently travelled to Europe and is in good health. Turkey has announced several measures in recent weeks to try and stop the virus reaching the country, including thermal cameras at airports, cancelling flights to affected countries and closing its border with Iran. AFP

A civil defence worker sprays disinfectant as a precaution against the coronavirus, outside the Artists Syndicate in Baghdad, Iraq. The vast majority of people recover from the new coronavirus. According to the World Health Organization, most people recover in about two to six weeks, depending on the severity of the illness. AP Photo

Kuwaiti healthy ministry workers scan expatriates living in Kuwait who returned from Egypt, Syria and Lebanon, as they arrive at a specified place to be tested for coronavirus in Kuwait City. AFP

Qatari police stand outside a hotel in Doha where people have been quarantining over fears of coronavirus. Stock markets in energy-rich Gulf states tumbled today with Saudi shares down more than 4.0 per cent following worldwide losses amid fears over the coronavirus pandemic and an oil price war. Stocks in gas-rich Qatar dropped 5.2 per cent, while bourses in Bahrain and Oman were down 3.5 per cent and 2.2 per cent, respectively. AFP

A Syrian refugee student takes part in a washing hands activity as part of an awareness campaign about coronavirus initiated by OXFAM and UNICEF at Al Zaatari refugee camp in the Jordanian city of Mafraq, near the border with Syria. Reuters

A municipality worker cleans lamp posts amid a sandstorm and coronavirus fears outside the Luxor Temple in Egypt's southern city of Luxor. AFP

A UAE resident tested positive for Covid-19, after returning to the Emirates from holiday.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention said the Indian had spent their annual leave abroad and had the coronavirus diagnosed on his return to the UAE.

"All those who were in contact with the patient have been examined and have all tested negative for the virus," the ministry said.

The new case brings the UAE's total to 86. Twenty-three people have recovered from Covid-19 since the UAE recorded its first case on January 29.

The announcement was made early on Sunday morning, hours after the UAE said it would “temporarily suspend” issuing most visas into the country from Tuesday, March 17.

Authorities said only those with diplomatic passports would be exempt from the move, which came as governments around the world stepped up efforts to contain the coronavirus.

In a statement on Saturday, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship said it was responding to the World Health Organisation’s decision to designate the ongoing outbreak as a pandemic.

More than 145,000 cases of the virus have been recorded globally so far, with more than 5,000 deaths. More than 72,000 patients have recovered.

Also on Saturday, the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority announced it was halting all flights to and from Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Turkey from March 17 until further notice.