Covid-19 new strain: UAE confirms ‘limited number’ of cases

The UAE has confirmed that a “limited number” of cases of the new strain of Covid-19 have been detected in the country.

The affected individuals came from abroad, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) confirmed on Tuesday.

“It has been proven that there are limited cases in the country of the new emerging strain of coronavirus in Britain and received from aboard,” it said.

“We affirm the need to continue to adhere to all precautionary and preventive measures to ensure the health and safety of everyone,” it added.

Updates from the #UAE Government media briefing today. #committowin pic.twitter.com/sjJskoaRKR

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) December 29, 2020

The new strain of the virus, first detected in the UK, is thought to be 56 per cent to 70 per cent more contagious than other strains. It isn’t believed to be more deadly than the original strain responsible for Covid-19, which has infected 81.9 million people worldwide and killed 1.8 million of them.

The strain has been identified in more than a dozen countries, including the US, Canada, Spain, South Korea, Japan, Sweden and South Africa.

Several countries have also temporarily halted flights to the UK to stop the spread.

Regionally, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman closed their borders and suspended all flights last week due to concerns about the new strain.

While Oman reopened its borders after one week, Kuwait will be easing entry from January 2. Saudi Arabia is yet to confirm when it will reopen its borders.

Read: Kuwait to resume flights, reopen borders on January 2

The UAE, which has one of the highest testing rates relative to population, reported 1,506 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, bringing the total number of recorded infections in the country to 204,369.

It also announced two deaths due to Covid-19 complications, taking the overall death toll in the country to 662.

An additional 1,475 individuals fully recovered from the virus, with total recoveries reaching 181,400.

With inputs from Bloomberg