COVID-19: Updates from UAE government media briefing

More than 10 million COVID-19 tests have been carried out in the UAE since the start of the pandemic, out of which over 700,000 tests were conducted during the last seven days.

The figures were revealed during a media briefing, where the UAE government's official spokesperson Dr. Omar Al Hammadi highlighted some of the developments in the country between September 30 and October 6.

There has been a 23 per cent increase in the number of recoveries during the period (8,018 recoveries), compared to the previous week, while the number of new cases went up by 16 per cent (7,704 cases).

Meanwhile, the number of fatalities (19) increased 73 per cent from last week, but the death to total cases rate in the month of September is one of the lowest in the world.

We have conducted over 10 million tests since the beginning of the pandemic, becoming the first country in the world to in the number of tests per capita conducted for countries with a population exceeding one million.#CommitToWin

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) October 6, 2020

Dr. Al Hammadi called on volunteers who have taken the COVID-19 vaccine to continue following all the precautionary measures as the vaccine is still going through its trial period.

He also highlighted the importance of taking the seasonal flu vaccine but clarified that it does not protect against COVID-19.

We would like to clarify that receiving the Covid-19 vaccine does not reduce the risk of infection, especially in the trial period, a period in which we examine all the conditions and factors surrounding the volunteers and the doses they receive.#CommitToWin

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) October 6, 2020

The seasonal flu vaccine is safe and helps stimulate the body's immunity within two weeks in order to build an effective immune system.#CommitToWin

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) October 6, 2020

The two viruses cause the same symptoms such as high temperatures, body pain, fatigue and coughing, and the best approach to differentiate between them is only through laboratory testing.#CommitToWin

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) October 6, 2020

There is a possibility of contacting both Covid-19 and the seasonal flu, especially as the winter season approaches, due to the occurrence of the two viruses simultaneously.#CommitToWin

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) October 6, 2020

Dr. Al Hammadi also highlighted the success of the country's education sector in ensuring that children have access to uninterrupted learning options.

Our leadership has confirmed that education is continuing and will not stop, thanks to the infrastructure readiness of educational institutions and the investments in technology to ensure continuity of learning under strict precautionary measures. pic.twitter.com/qaj0Ou8TKU

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) October 6, 2020