Commuters wear face masks on the metro in Dubai on Thursday. Bloomberg
Commuters wear face masks on the metro in Dubai on Thursday. Bloomberg
Commuters wear face masks on the metro in Dubai on Thursday. Bloomberg
Commuters wear face masks on the metro in Dubai on Thursday. Bloomberg

UAE confirms new coronavirus case


Arthur Scott-Geddes
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Latest: Follow live developments as coronavirus spreads

The Ministry of Health and Prevention on Thursday announced it had confirmed a new case of coronavirus in the UAE as the country approaches 30 cases.
The latest case is a 17-year-old male Emirati pupil, who showed no symptoms, the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry confirmed that his condition is stable and he is currently receiving medical care.
Precautionary measures have been taken, including the immediate isolation of the patient.

Classes were suspended at the school while teams of specialists went in to sterilise the facilities, the ministry said, adding that it was acting in coordination with health and other concerned authorities in the country.

  • Moroccan health workers scan passengers arriving from Italy for coronavirus at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport. AFP
    Moroccan health workers scan passengers arriving from Italy for coronavirus at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport. AFP
  • Moroccan health workers scan passengers arriving from Italy for coronavirus at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport. AFP
    Moroccan health workers scan passengers arriving from Italy for coronavirus at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport. AFP
  • Kuwaitis coming back from Iran wait at Sheikh Saad Airport in Kuwait City before being taken to a hospital to be tested for coronavirus. AFP
    Kuwaitis coming back from Iran wait at Sheikh Saad Airport in Kuwait City before being taken to a hospital to be tested for coronavirus. AFP
  • Members of Iraqi medical team check passengers upon arrival from Iran at Baghdad international airport in Baghdad, Iraq. EPA
    Members of Iraqi medical team check passengers upon arrival from Iran at Baghdad international airport in Baghdad, Iraq. EPA
  • Members of Iraqi medical team check passengers upon arrival from Iran at Baghdad international airport in Baghdad, Iraq. EPA
    Members of Iraqi medical team check passengers upon arrival from Iran at Baghdad international airport in Baghdad, Iraq. EPA
  • Members of Iraqi medical team check passengers upon arrival from Iran at Baghdad international airport in Baghdad, Iraq. EPA
    Members of Iraqi medical team check passengers upon arrival from Iran at Baghdad international airport in Baghdad, Iraq. EPA
  • Airport staff check the temperatures of passengers returning from Milan as part of the coronavirus screening procedure at the Debrecen airport, Hungary. EPA
    Airport staff check the temperatures of passengers returning from Milan as part of the coronavirus screening procedure at the Debrecen airport, Hungary. EPA
  • A passenger who had high temperature stands on the side before a second temperature test as she arrived from Milan Bergamo to Krakow International Airport. Getty
    A passenger who had high temperature stands on the side before a second temperature test as she arrived from Milan Bergamo to Krakow International Airport. Getty
  • A mother and child undergo temperatures check at the gate of entry upon arrival at the Murtala International Airport in Lagos. AFP
    A mother and child undergo temperatures check at the gate of entry upon arrival at the Murtala International Airport in Lagos. AFP

The ministry said it is also conducting tests on everyone who may have come into contact with the patient to ensure their safety and the safety of the community.

The ministry also urged the public to get all information about coronavirus from the credible sources and to avoid rumours and false information.

More than 93,000 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed worldwide, with over 3,000 deaths.

Regular hand washing has been recommended as a simple but effective measure to reduce infection rates.

Emiratis have been urged to avoid foreign travel and airports in the country have increased checks on arriving passengers.

The Ministry of Health said on Thursday that returning residents, as well as tourists from a range of countries, may be tested on arrival and could be placed in quarantine at home for two weeks depending on their travel history.