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2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United Arab Emirates | |
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![]() Map of the outbreak in the United Arab Emirates
(as of 10 February) Confirmed cases reported Suspected cases reported | |
Disease | COVID-19 |
Virus strain | SARS-CoV-2 |
Location | |
First outbreak | Wuhan, Hubei, China |
Index case | Dubai |
Arrival date | January 29, 2020 (2 months and 5 days) |
Confirmed cases | 1,024 (as of 2 April)[1] |
Active cases | 920[2] |
Severe cases | 2[2] |
Recovered | 96[1] |
Deaths | 8[3] |
Official website | |
https://www.mohap.gov.ae/en/AwarenessCenter/Pages/COVID-19.aspx |
The first confirmed case of the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United Arab Emirates was announced on 29 January 2020. It was the first country in the Middle East to report a confirmed case.[4] The first patient, a 73-year-old Chinese woman, was released on 9 February after being cured. The first two deaths were confirmed on March 20. On 22 March, Dubai started a 11-day sterilisation campaign as an effort to contain the coronavirus. Night curfew was imposed 4 days later while the country began disinfection.
On 23 January, Abu Dhabi International Airport and Dubai International Airport announced that travelers arriving directly from China would have their temperatures screened.[5][6]
On 29 January, the first case in the UAE was confirmed to be a 73-year-old Chinese woman who came to the country on holiday with her family from Wuhan.[7][8] The family of four, 36-year-old mother,[9] 38-year-old father,[10] 10-year-old child,[10] and the 73-year-old grandmother arrived in the Emirates on 16 January and took the grandmother to a doctor with flu-like symptoms on 23 January, where it was discovered that the family was infected.[11] The announcement led to a sell out of face masks across the UAE.[12][13]
On 31 January, the fifth case of coronavirus in the UAE was confirmed, in someone who had travelled from Wuhan to Dubai.[14] The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) directed all DHA-licensed hospitals to consider all suspected and confirmed cases as emergencies and patients are to be treated free of charge, including those without insurance.[15]
On 8 February, the sixth and seventh cases, of Chinese and a 43-year-old Filipino, were confirmed.[16][17][18]
On 9 February, the first patient, a 73-year-old Chinese woman, was released after being cured.[19]
On 10 February, the eighth case was confirmed to be an Indian expatriate who had interacted with a recently diagnosed person.[20]
On 14 February, two more patients recovered and were discharged from the hospital. The two patients were a 41-year-old Chinese father and his eight-year-old boy.[21]
On 16 February, the ninth case was confirmed to be a 37-year old Chinese man.[22]
On 21 February, the tenth and eleventh case were confirmed to be a 34-year-old Filipino national and a 39-year-old Bangladeshi national who had contact with a Chinese national who had been diagnosed with the virus.[23]
On 22 February, the government announced that two more people, a 70-year old Iranian visitor and his 64-year-old wife, have been diagnosed, taking the total to thirteen.[24]
On 27 February, six more new cases were announced, including four Iranians, one Bahraini and one Chinese national.[9] On the same day, it was announced that case 2, of the 36-year-old Chinese woman, and another 37-year-old Chinese person were discharged after recovering.[9]
On 28 February, two Italian technicians visiting the country to participate in the UAE Tour, a top level cycling race, were tested positive.[25] 612 people involved in the UAE Tour were quarantined in the homes and the W Abu Dhabi hotel and the Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi hotel, both in Yas Island, and the two hotels were put on lockdown.[26][27] The 612 people were all screened and the results were negative.[28][29]
On 1 March, six more people tested positive for the coronavirus in the UAE, the Ministry of Health and Prevention said, bringing the total number of infected persons to 27.[30] The patients include two Russians, two Italians, a German and a Colombian citizen, who had been in contact with two Italian participants of the UAE Tour who tested positive for coronavirus at the weekend.
On 3 March, a 16-year-old female Indian student in Dubai tested positive for the coronavirus after contracting it from her parent who came back after traveling abroad. The parent developed symptoms five days after returning to Dubai. Both the student and her family were quarantined.[31] On 5 March, the Ministry of Health and Prevention confirmed that a 17-year-old male Emirati student has tested positive for coronavirus and showed no symptoms of it. The student is now stable and is receiving necessary healthcare.[32]
On 6 March, two Chinese patients recovered, bringing the total number of recovered cases in the UAE to seven.[33] The two recoveries, a 38-year-old father and his 10-year-old child, were from the first family to contract the virus, and all members of the Chinese family are now virus-free.[10] On the same day, it was announced that 15 cases of different nationalities have tested positive for the virus, taking to 45 the total infections in the country.[33] 13 cases consisted of one individual each from Thailand, China, Morocco and India, two individuals each from Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Iran and three individuals from the UAE were detected through early reporting by individuals.[34][33] All these cases arrived from abroad.[33] Two cases, each from the UAE and Egypt, have been diagnosed with the virus by active surveillance system for being in close contact with confirmed cases announced previously in connection with the UAE Tour.[33]
On 9 March, the UAE recorded 14 new cases, the Ministry of Health and Prevention said, bringing the total number of reported cases to 59. In a statement, the health ministry said the cases involve four Emiratis, three Italians, two Bangladeshis, two Nepalese, a Russian, an Indian and a Syrian national.[35][36] On the same day, it was announced that two Emiratis, two Ethiopians and a Thai national recovered from the virus, bringing to 12 the total recovered cases in the country.[37]
On 10 March, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Tuesday confirmed 15 new cases, bringing the total number of infected people in the country to 74. The 15 cases involve three Italians, two Emiratis, two from UK, two from Sri Lanka, two Indians, a German, a South African, a Tanzanian and an Iranian.[38] On the same day, it was announced that five cases recovered, consisting for three Emiratis, one Egyptian and one Moroccan.[39]
On 11 March, 11 new cases were announced, bring the total number of cases in the UAE to 85.[40] The individuals were placed under quarantine as suspected cases subsequent to their entry into the UAE and following required testing and monitoring, the individuals were confirmed to be positive. The 11 individuals diagnosed include two Italians, two Filipinos, one Montenegrin, one Canadian, one German, one Pakistani, one Emirati, one Russian and one British citizen.[41] On the same day, it was announced that a Bangladeshi, a Chinese, and an Italian person recovered from the virus, bringing the total number of recovered cases in the country to 20.[42]
On 15 March, 12 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number of cases to 98. The patients are three Indians, and one each from the UAE, the Philippines, South Africa, Australia, China, Lebanon, the UK, Italy, and Iran.[43] On the same day, 3 people have recovered from the virus bringing the total number to 26, the people are two Emiratis and an Indian.[44] On 18 March, 15 new cases were announced, with the total number of infected people to 113. Patients are from Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Italy, Netherlands, Australia, Germany, USA, Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Bangladesh, Britain, and Spain.[45] On 19 March, UAE confirmed 27 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Thursday along with 30 recoveries in total. The total number of Covid-19 cases in UAE stands at 140, Ministry of Health and Prevention said today in a press conference. Dr. Farida Al Hosani, Director of Communicable Diseases Department at the Health Department said the total number of cases have reached 140. She said five more cases have recovered including 3 Emiratis, one Syrian and one Sri Lankan.[46] On 20 March, the first two deaths were confirmed.[47]
On 21 March, The Ministry of Health and Prevention made the announcement. One of the two cases is 78-year old Arab national who came from Europe and tested positive for COVID-19 and died due to heart attack while the other is a 59-year-old Asian expat who was suffering from chronic diseases including heart disease and kidney failure.[48]
On 22 March, there were 7 recovery cases, but however, there were 13 new cases.[49] On 22 March, Emirates announced that it will be suspending all passenger flights effective March 25 in response to the coronavirus, but will continue to operate cargo flights for essential goods.[50]
On 23 March, UAE announces 45 new coronavirus cases. Total cases reported in the country are now 198.[51] The government urged people to stay in their homes and only leave home for an emergency or for work, said Ministry of Interior.[52] The government shut malls for two weeks. Fish, meat and vegetable markets also closed for a renewable period of two weeks.[53] The government also suspended all passenger and transit flights. The suspension of flights will commence at 23:59 (UAE local time) on Wednesday 25 March and will last for an initial 14 days, subject to further directives by the relevant authorities.[54]
On 24 March, TRA unblocks Skype for Business, Google Hangouts amid the coronavirus outbreak. the TRA explained that residents will now be able to use Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Blackboard, which are available on all networks in the country. Microsoft Skype for Business and Google Hangouts are compatible with fixed internet networks.[55] 4 new recovery cases and 50 new cases were confirmed. These new cases were among individuals who had close contact with cases announced previously, as well as people who returned from abroad.[56]
On 25 March, UAE announces 85 new cases, the total number of infections in the country reaches 333, with 7 recoveries reported on Wednesday, March 25. The announcement was made during a regular media briefing held Wednesday, March 25 by Farida Al Hosani, official spokesperson of the UAE health sector. Seven people were recovered making the total recoveries in the UAE 52.[57] On the same day, 64 people were arrested for breaking home quarantine after they came in direct contact with people infected with virus.[58]
On 27 March, UAE 72 new cases and 3 recovery cases were confirmed.All of the 72 cases are said to be in stable health condition and receiving necessary treatment. They include one person from each of Sri Lanka, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Iran, Comoros, China, Saudi Arabia, Kyrgyzstan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Greece, Uruguay, Romania, Sweden, South Africa, Iraq, Yemen and two persons from each of Nepal and Ethiopia.They also involve four Emiratis, five Britons, five Pakistanis, five Lebanese and eight Bangladeshis in addition to 23 Indians. Three more COVID-19 patients (a Pakistani citizen and two Bangladeshis) have made full recovery, the ministry added, taking to 55 the total number of cured patients.[59]
On 28 March, UAE on Saturday announced 63 new cases of COVID-19, raising the total of confirmed cases to 468.[60] On 29 March, UAE the Ministry of Health and Prevention announced 102 new cases, taking the total cases in the country to 570. The 102 new cases patients consisted of one person from New Zealand, Slovakia, Morocco, Greece, China, France, Germany, Algeria, Iraq, Colombia, Venezuela, and Poland. Two people from Brazil, Sweden, Australia, Ethiopia, Canada, Lebanon, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and Portugal. Three people from Italy and Ireland. Six people from Egypt. Seven people from the UAE and the Philippines. 16 people from Britain. 30 people from India. On the same day, the three new recoveries were announced takes the total tally of recoveries to 58, and another person died from the virus, taking the toll to three in UAE, until March 29.[61]
On 30 March, UAE announced 41 new cases of COVID-19, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 611. All are in stable condition except two, who are in critical condition. Two more deaths have been announced as well. The total death toll is now 5. Three recoveries have also been announced - two Indians and one Filipino.[62]
On 31 March, UAE The Ministry of Health and Prevention in the UAE has announced 53 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus and one death. The total cases reported in the country is now 664. One death has also been announced, taking the total toll to 6. The new cases include one each from Algeria, Lebanon, Pakistan, Iran, Kuwait, Switzerland, Turkey, the Philippines, Italy, France, America and two people from Egypt, Nepal, three people from Britain, four people from the UAE, and as many as 31 people from India.[63] Moreover, Al Ras area, one of the city’s densely populated areas that’s home to the gold souk and museums, was placed under lock down for two weeks starting 31 March preventing all residents from leaving or entering the area.[64]
On 1 April, UAE The Ministry of Health and Prevention has announced 150 new coronavirus cases. The total stands at 814 now. The ministry also announced two deaths due to Covid-19. One is a 62-year-old Asian national, and the other a 78-year-old Arab national – both suffered from chronic diseases and heart condition, which led to the deterioration of their health. The total number of death so far is eight. The new patients contracted the virus from previously diagnosed cases, and by not adhering to preventive measures and social distancing.[65]
On 2 April, The Ministry of Health and Prevention today announced 210 new cases of COVID-19 in the UAE, bringing the total number of cases to 1,024.The new cases were detected upon examining people who came in contact with previously infected patients and did not adhere to preventative measures or maintain sufficient physical distance. A number of these cases resulted from international travel. The newly diagnosed patients of various nationalities are in a stable condition and receiving the necessary medical care. The Ministry also announced the full recovery of 35 more individuals after receiving medical care, bringing the total number of those cured of the virus in the UAE to 96.[66]
On 22 March, Dubai started a 11-day sterilisation campaign as an effort to contain the coronavirus.[67] On 26 March, the country imposed night curfew as disinfection in the country began.[68] On 27 March, Dubai lifted their ban on trucks weighting 2.5 tonnes.[69] On 28 March, the country announced that curfews and disinfection would be extended until April 5.[70] On the same day, Abu Dhabi crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed announced that a new testing site has opened.[71] On 29 March, the Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram were suspended until April 5.[72] On 31 March, Abu Dhabi installed a disinfection gate at one of its bus stations.[73]
On 1 April, Emirates SkyCargo suspended operations at the Al Maktoum International Airport and moved them to the Dubai International Airport.[74]
Date | Confirmed cases | Deaths | Recoveries | Sources | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New | Total | New | Total | New | Total | ||
2020-01-29 | 4 | 4 | [75] | ||||
2020-01-31 | 1 | 5 | [76] | ||||
2020-02-08 | 2 | 7 | [77] | ||||
2020-02-09 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 1 | [19] | ||
2020-02-10 | 1 | 8 | [78] | ||||
2020-02-14 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 3 | [21] | ||
2020-02-16 | 1 | 9 | [79] | ||||
2020-02-21 | 2 | 11 | [80] | ||||
2020-02-22 | 2 | 13 | [81] | ||||
2020-02-27 | 6 | 19 | 2 | 5 | [82] | ||
2020-02-28 | 2 | 21 | [83] | ||||
2020-03-03 | 6 | 27 | [84] | ||||
2020-03-04 | 1 | 29 | [85] | ||||
2020-03-05 | 1 | 30 | [86] | ||||
2020-03-06 | 0 | 30 | 2 | 7 | [87] | ||
2020-03-07 | 15 | 45 | [88] | ||||
2020-03-09 | 14 | 59 | 5 | 12 | [89][90] | ||
2020-03-10 | 15 | 74 | 5 | 17 | [91][92] | ||
2020-03-11 | 0 | 74 | 3 | 20 | [93] | ||
2020-03-12 | 11 | 85 | [94] | ||||
2020-03-14 | 1 | 86 | 3 | 23 | [95][96] | ||
2020-03-15 | 12 | 98 | 3 | 26 | [97] | ||
2020-03-18 | 15 | 113 | [98] | ||||
2020-03-19 | 27 | 140 | 5 | 31 | [99] | ||
2020-03-21 | 13 | 153 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 38 | [100][101] |
2020-03-23 | 45 | 198 | 3 | 41 | [102] | ||
2020-03-24 | 50 | 248 | 4 | 45 | [103] | ||
2020-03-25 | 85 | 333 | 7 | 52 | [104] | ||
2020-03-27 | 72 | 405 | 3 | 55 | [105] | ||
2020-03-28 | 63 | 468 | [106] | ||||
2020-03-29 | 102 | 570 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 58 | [107] |
2020-03-30 | 41 | 611 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 61 | [108] |
2020-03-31 | 53 | 664 | 1 | 6 | [109] | ||
2020-04-01 | 150 | 814 | 2 | 8 | [110] | ||
2020-04-02 | 210 | 1,024 | 35 | 96 | [111] |