Wear a mask before stepping out

abu dhabi — The UAE government has recommended that everyone wear face masks when going out. The official spokesperson for the health sector in the UAE said there was a “shortage of masks” in the country, but advised residents to use home-made ones.

Addressing a virtual Press briefing on Saturday, Dr Farida Al Hosani, who is also the director of communicable diseases at the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi, said: “Based on our continuous follow-up with latest studies and international recommendations, we affirm that a number of people can contract the virus without showing any symptoms and can infect others. Therefore, we recommend that everyone should wear masks when going out.

“We know that some people can’t afford the masks. There is an alternative: Cover your nose and mouth using paper masks, or home-made masks made of cotton or mixed cotton. Just make

sure you wash them.”

Earlier, the ministry had advised that only those suffering from chronic diseases or having flu symptoms wear the masks.

241 new cases, 1 death

During the briefing, Dr Al Hosani announced 241 new cases of Covid-19 in the UAE, bringing the total number of infections to 1,505.

The official reported one more death of a Covid-19 patient, a 53-year-old Arab man. This brings the total death toll to 10.

She said 17 new cases have fully recovered from the coronavirus disease, bringing the total number of recoveries in the country to 125.

Rise in cases

She noted that there might be an increase in cases of the coronavirus over the coming days “because of the increased scale in testing across the country”. New drive-through testing facilities have been opened in Abu Dhabi and other emirates recently and can diagnose hundreds of people daily without having direct contact with health workers.

Dr Farida said the ministry was tracing people who have been in contact with the infected patients and have them tested at the earliest. “We home-quarantine some of these people and others are quarantined in specific facilities, depending on the severity of the condition,” she said.

A number of people can contract the virus without showing any symptoms and can infect others.” Dr farida al Hosani

Spokesperson, health sector

We have coordinated with suppliers and retail outlets to sell items at reasonable prices.” Hamid al Muhairi

Spokesperson, Economy