UAE first country where Covid-19 tests exceed population

The UAE has become the first country in the world in which the number of Covid-19 tests have exceeded the population count.

Local health authorities have performed in excess of 10 million tests.

Dr. Omar Abdulrahman Al Hammadi, official spokesman of the UAE Government, highlighted the statistics monitored by relevant authorities from September 30 until October, 6, 2020, official news agency WAM reported.

During this period, a total of 720,802 tests were conducted around the country, marking an eight per cent increase compared to the previous week, which revealed a 16 per cent increase in confirmed infections amounting to 7,704.

Accordingly, the rate of positive tests accounted for 1 per cent of the total, which is a similar rate to the previous week.

In the period under review, an increase in recoveries by 23 per cent was also recorded, compared to the previous week, numbering 8,018, while the number of deaths increased by 19, a rise of 73 per cent compared to the previous week, the spokesperson noted.

Al Hammadi stressed that the volunteers taking part in the coronavirus vaccine trial should adhere to relevant preventive procedures, including wearing facemasks and maintaining social distancing.

”Taking the trial vaccine doesn’t necessarily means a person is far from infection of the virus,” he explained.

After taking the second dose of the vaccine, volunteers will need up to four weeks to enhance their immunity. Even after this period, their immune systems will only protect them, not other people and their families and colleagues, the spokesperson cautioned.

”Therefore, it is essential for them to continue adhering to the precautionary measures,” he added.

The UAE recorded 1,061 new infections and six deaths on October 6. The registered infection count has scaled past the 100,000 mark to reach 100,794.

Read: GCC Covid-19 update: UAE reports 1,061 cases, total infections cross 100,000 mark