Coronavirus: UAE reports 473 new COVID-19 cases, two deaths
The United Arab Emirates has reported 473 new coronavirus cases after conducting 47,000 tests over the past 24 hours, raising the total number of COVID-19 cases to 54,050, the health ministry announced on Friday.
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The death toll reached 330 after two new fatalities were recorded, according to the health ministry.
Meanwhile, the total number of recoveries has reached 43,969 with 399 individuals who previously tested positive for the virus recovered.
In April, the UAE had the second highest number of total confirmed cases in the GCC region, behind Saudi Arabia which still has the highest number of cases with 226,486, as of July 10. Qatar now has the second highest number of cases in the Gulf.
The UAE was the first in the wider Middle East to record a case of coronavirus, a 73-year-old Chinese woman on January 29. The announcement was followed shortly by several other cases, most of whom were also Chinese tourists.
The country was quick to implement restrictions and preventative measures including a nightly curfew, 24-hour lockdowns and shutting down schools, gyms, bars, restaurants and shopping centers.
As the country expanded its testing efforts, health authorities were able to isolate confirmed cases and slow the spread of the virus after having reached nearly 1,000 daily cases in May. Numbers have dropped in recent weeks to around 400-500 daily cases despite the easing of restrictions.
In June, the UAE announced the completion of the national disinfection program which required lockdowns of up to 24 hours daily as part of the country's efforts in containing the virus.
Earlier in June, Dubai allowed hotel beaches to open and outdoor tourism and sports activities to resume following a period of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Restaurants and shops have also been allowed to operate given everyone maintains social distancing. Beauty salons have also been allowed to operate but on an appointment basis only.
Earlier this month, authorities allowed UAE citizens and residents to travel abroad with no restrictions given people are aware of guidelines and precautionary measures implemented by other countries.
Read also: UAE citizens, residents allowed to travel to international destinations
Meanwhile, Dubai began allowing foreign visitors to enter the emirate on July 7. The UAE, however, has not made the same decision for the other emirates, including the capital Abu Dhabi where entry is only allowed to those with negative COVID-19 tests. Meanwhile, visitors from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Russian Federation, Sudan, Tanzania and the US must submit a negative COVID-19 test before departing on Emirates flights to Dubai.
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