Coronavirus: UAE conducting human trials for Covid-19 vaccine

Clinical trials with 15,000 volunteers participating are set to begin, according to the health minister as country passes 4 million Covid-19 tests mark

Researchers around the world are working towards developing a vaccine for Covid-19. Reuters

The UAE is pushing ahead with efforts to potentially develop two types of Covid-19 vaccine, AbdulRahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention said.

The vaccines are being tested with more than 15,000 volunteers participating, he said.

“We are in the third stage of the study and clinical trials, and all conditions and requirements for the safety of volunteer participants will be fulfilled,” Mr Al Owais said on Monday night.

If either vaccine is confirmed to be safe and effective, it will move to the manufacturing phase.

The country has also carried out 4.18 million tests so far, helping to control the spread of the virus, a government spokeswoman said on Monday night.

A further 344 cases of the coronavirus were detected in the UAE after 34,478 tests were conducted for the virus, Dr Amna Al Shamsi said.

The new infections brought the country’s total to 55,198 since late January.

Dr Al Shamsi said 373 more people recovered from the virus, taking total recoveries to 45,513.

One patient died of complications, adding to a death toll of 334.

The UAE has also developed an online database offering credible information on Covid-19, according to an official from the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority.

• 

  Hand sanitisers set up across the facilities at the Ramada by Wyndham Downtown Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

• 

  A father and his son enjoy a bike ride along the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

• 

  Abu Dhabi residents wait for their bus. Victor Besa / The National

• 

  A Covid-19 sign along Reem Beach reminds residents exercising to be responsible. Victor Besa / The National

• 

  Face masks on Union Coop’s shelves in Al Barsha Mall in Dubai. Reem Mohammed / The National

• 

  People wait in a queue to get tested for Covid-19 in City Walk. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Cleaning staff disinfect the sitting area at the Towers Rotana hotel on Sheikh Zayed road in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

• 

  A man makes prayer beads in his shop at Central Souq in Sharjah. Getty

• 

  A vendor arranges carpets in his shop at Central Souq in Sharjah. Getty Images

• 

  Tourists arrive at Dubai airport as the emirate reopened its doors to international visitors. AFP

The website will include the latest data on the number of cases in the country, graphs and interactive maps that will allow users to identify the nearest health centre.

The information on the platform will be updated by the Authority, the Ministry of Health and Prevention, and the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority.

Most hospitals in the Emirates are now free of coronavirus cases.

On Monday, Dubai closed a second field hospital after discharging the centre's final 17 patients. Last week, the largest field hospital, in Dubai World Trade Centre, closed for coronavirus patients.

Private hospitals in Abu Dhabi are also now clear of Covid-19 cases.

Authorities said hospitals managed by Burjeel Medical Group, NMC Group and Ain Al Khaleej are no longer treating patients with the virus and that anyone with symptoms should visit Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Hospital or Al Ain Hospital.