Doctors across the UAE have urged people to maintain caution during Christmas and New Year holiday celebrations as new COVID-19 infections crossed the 650-mark on December 22 in the country. While UAE residents were planning celebrations during the holiday season, the Omicron COVID-19 variant has caused a wave of concern across the region.

Doctors have also warned of possible pandemic fatigue and burnout among the public as the health crisis continues to disrupt normal living in the UAE this year.

Dr Ahmed Fouad Mady, a general medicine practitioner at Aster Clinic, Al Sweihat, underlined that even as vaccines and treatments brought some kind of normalcy in the country, an increasing number of people are experiencing pandemic burnout. With a sense of exhaustion on the rise, the desire to adhere to protective measures is also waning among the public.

Dr Tholfkar Al Baaj, the chief clinical officer at HealthHub Clinics by Al Futtaim, added that it has been two years since the use of face masks and hand sanitisers have been normalised. Given that the UAE's full vaccination rate has exceeded 90 percent, the festive season can be celebrated in a grand manner. However, the doctor warned of maintaining caution during the festivities due to a slight increase in the number of new infections in the past few days.

Amid Omicron concerns, there has been some good news. UAE government spokesperson Dr Noura Al Ghaithi recently addressed a media briefing, underlined that more than 55 percent of hospital beds, including those for intensive care, are vacant. As of now, only about 3 percent of patients at hospitals are COVID-19 cases, she added

Dr Marwan Hawari, medical director at Burjeel Specialty Hospital, Sharjah, highlighted that a majority of the UAE population has received both doses of the vaccine. People are also receiving their booster doses to enhance protection against the COVID-19 viral infection.

What is pandemic fatigue and burnout?

Dr Al Baaj explained that not being able to do any of the routine activities is resulting in people experiencing pandemic fatigue.

"It has been a long time since we've been able to do normal things, like go out to eat without the fear of catching COVID-19 or have playdates without the fear of our kids getting sick. We're having to wear a mask and do things we haven't done before," Dr Al Baaj added.

It is relatively a new type of burnout experienced by people in which fear, anxiety and a sense of helplessness add to the chronic physical and mental fatigue caused by both home and work front.

Dr Al Baaj further describes burnouts as a situation of emotional exhaustion and decreased personal achievement while responding to interpersonal and emotional stress.

"It is an occupational illness, a state of fatigue and frustration brought about by over-commitment to work, a cause or a way of life that does not produce the expected reward. It's not just physical exhaustion; it's an erosion of the soul in people," he added.

Holiday season approaching

Dr Hawari stressed maintaining caution in public places and social gatherings during the holiday festivities. Dr Mady called on the public to follow safety guidelines like wearing masks, hand washing and social distancing during this festive season.

"As cases are on the rise, it is better to avoid large events and enjoy the festive season at-home safely with the family," Dr Mady added.

Coping with pandemic fatigue

Dr Karthikeyan Dakshinamoorthy, a specialist in internal medicine at NMC Royal Hospital, Dubai Investment Park, explained that people experiencing pandemic fatigue are less effective in their jobs and may fail to adhere to safety guidelines. Since they are emotionally demotivated and tired due to sleeplessness or excessive sleep, their productivity at home and work reduces. Therefore, it is crucial to recognise pandemic burnouts at an early stage.

"If not, people can develop depression, efficiency in their work can decrease, or in worst-case scenarios, they even develop suicidal thoughts," Dakshinamoorthy added.

He recommended people take time out of their work and daily routine to cope up with pandemic fatigue.

"They can spend time with their family or get connected with them through video calls; they can take a day trip out or spend time with exercise, yoga or meditation. Even going out for routine shopping than an online order will help them relax," the doctor said.

Don't give up hope.

Doctors have urged people not to give up hope during these challenging times. With vaccination and treatments doing their work, the anxiety among the public and healthcare workers has also reduced. Dakshinamoorthy called on the authorities to continue pushing for booster shots and developing second and third-generation vaccines to eventually curb the pandemic.

"If you're fully vaccinated, there's still a small chance you could have COVID-19, and you don't want to give it to someone who hasn't been vaccinated yet. If we can hold out, hopefully, we can get back to some point of normalcy," he added.