UAE ramps up response
DUBAI — The UAE reported 331 new Covid-19 cases early on Friday as it ramped up health infrastructure and put all resources at its command to curb the spread of the disease. Officials said 13 drivethru testing centres were opened across the country and 40,000 tests conducted over two days.
The new cases take the total to 2,990, with 268 recoveries, including the 29 announced on Friday. Two deaths were reported by the Ministry of Health and Prevention, taking the total to 14.
Earlier, the government also announced the extension of closure of mosques, churches and temples.
Senior officials in Dubai said the emirate is building two field hospitals and will screen more than 50,000 workers per month as part of a massive drive that would also see the conversion of 5-star hotels into temporary medical facilities.
The emirate has devised comprehensive plans and has considered all scenarios should the number of cases drastically rise, said Humaid Al Qatami, Director-General of Dubai Health Authority (DHA). “We can increase the capacity of hospitals and isolation centres if needed, and can assign
Breaking stay-at-home rules without movement permits are crimes that could have people deported Col Saeed Al Hajeri, head of the Cyber Crime Department at Dubai Police
specific centres, including the use of five-star hotels, for quarantine, if required,” said Al Qatami.
The DHA chief said 85 per cent of the cases are mild and recovery takes one week to a month depending on the health condition of the patient.
Dubai Police, meanwhile, are tightening the noose on repeat violators of the National Sterilisation Programme. Breaking stayat-home rules without movement permits are crimes that could have people deported, said Col Saeed Al Hajeri, head of the Cyber Crime Department at Dubai Police in an interview with Khaleej Times.
“The UAE Attorney-General has already announced the fines and punishments for breaking rules on social distancing and curfew restrictions. Repeated offenders or those who commit crimes that have a ‘snowball’ effect on the society will be fined, jailed and deported at the end of their term.”
Dubai Police said they will name and shame individuals who ‘mock’ the measures taken by the UAE government on social media.