UAE announces 390 new Covid-19 cases, officials warn of restrictions if ‘second wave’ hits

The UAE announced 390 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday, following 71,216 additional tests in the country.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention said the new cases identified are undergoing treatment.

The total number of infections has now reached 67,007, it said.

The ministry also announced that three people had died due to Covid-19 complications, taking the overall death toll to 375.

It also revealed that 80 more patients had recovered, with the recoveries reaching 58,488.

Authorities have warned people to be cautious and maintain precautionary measures.

“The levels of readiness and preparations have been raised since early January,” Obaid AL Hassan Al Shamsi, director-general at the National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) said on Sunday.

However, he added that if UAE residents do not adhere to preventive measures, the country could witness a “second outbreak”.

If that happens, there could be a return to certain restrictions such as the disinfection programme, which saw a night time curfew.

However, he also stressed that the restrictions would be imposed in specific areas where an outbreak is detected.

“We do not impose measures to restrict freedoms, we impose measures to protect the community of the UAE,” said Al Shamsi.

He added: “The UAE’s methodology is a global methodology in dealing with the crisis and it must be taught.”

#NCEMA’s methodology is a proactive one and not just reactive. The crisis gives birth to motivation, and with persistence & determination, we manage the impossible” H.E Obaid AlShamsi, Director-General at National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Authority #CommitToWin

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) August 23, 2020