UAE announces two coronavirus deaths

The UAE has announced the first two deaths caused by the coronavirus Covid-19 in the country, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced early on Saturday morning.

One of the individuals was a 78-year old Arab national who had arrived in the country from Europe. The cause of death was a heart attack, with complications caused by the coronavirus infection, the ministry said.

The other individual was a 58-year-old Asian national and resident of the UAE, who had prior chronic illnesses including heart disease and kidney failure, MoHAP noted.

It stressed that both cases had received all the necessary medical care in the country.

The ministry expressed its condolences to the families of the deceased, and wished for a quick recovery of all individuals diagnosed with coronavirus.

2 COVID-19 deaths confirmed in the UAE#coronavirus#covid19#mohap_uae pic.twitter.com/0fxqkT7yVa

— وزارة الصحة ووقاية المجتمع الإماراتية – MOHAP UAE (@mohapuae) March 20, 2020

On Thursday, the UAE confirmed 27 new coronavirus cases in the country, to take the total number of those infected to 140, including 31 patients who have fully recovered.

According to the latest figures, the mortality rate of Covid-19 is 3.6 per cent, with the rate increasing among elderly persons and individuals who are immuno-compromised or suffer from chronic illness.

MoHAP urged the general public to cooperate with health authorities, and adhere to precautionary measures announced – particularly social distancing – to prevent the further spread of Covid-19.