Covid-19: UAE reports 1,412 new cases, foreign minister receives vaccine

The UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) reported 1,412 new Covid-19 cases on Friday, taking the total number of infections detected in the country to 112,849.

According to the ministry, the infected individuals, who are from various nationalities, are in a stable condition, and are receiving the necessary care.

MoHAP also announced three additional deaths due to Covid-19 complications, bringing the total death toll to 455.

It also confirmed that 1,618 individuals fully recovered from the virus, bringing the total number of recoveries to 104,943.

In a statement, the ministry stressed its aim to continue expanding the scope of testing nationwide to facilitate the early detection of coronavirus cases and carry out the necessary treatment.

It also urged all members of the society to cooperate with health authorities, adhere to the instructions and follow social distancing.

COVID-19 Updates in the UAE – Friday, October 16, 2020:

Further 116,470 #COVID-19 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, revealing 1,412 new cases, 1,618 recoveries and 3 death cases.

— UAEGov (@uaegov) October 16, 2020

Meanwhile the UAE’s minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan has received the Covid-19 vaccine. he revealed on Friday.

He posted an image of himself on Twitter receiving the trial vaccine and said: “Corona vaccination is our way to return to normal life”.

التطعيم عن كورونا طريقنا للعودة للحياة الطبيعية #تم_التطعيم pic.twitter.com/nl5uZSs3cI

— عبدالله بن زايد (@ABZayed) October 16, 2020

The UAE has authorised the emergency use of the vaccine, currently under Phase III trials, to protect health workers in close contact with Covid-19 patients.

Read more: UAE permits emergency use of new Covid-19 vaccine for frontline staff in the country

Several health officials in the UAE have received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. This includes the director-general of the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) Obaid Rashid Al Shamsi, Dr. Youssif Al Serkal, assistant under-secretary for the hospital sector and director general of the Emirates Health Services Corporation; Dr. Hussein Abdel Rahman Al-Rand, under-secretary of the ministry’s health assistant sector, health centres, and clinics; and Awad Saghir Al Ketbi, assistant under-secretary of the support services sector.

Read: Health officials in UAE receive first dose of Covid-19 vaccine