The UAE is witnessing a gradual decline in the number of COVID-19 infections over the past two weeks. During a recent media briefing of the UAE government on the developments in the Coronavirus pandemic, the Official Spokesperson of the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA), Dr. Saif Al Dhaheri, underlined that there has been a significant decline in the number of infected cases due to the successful implementation of precautionary measures standards. UAE authorities have been ensuring a high level of awareness and adherence to national protocols, indicating a positive recovery from the pandemic crisis.

Speaking at the media briefing, Dr. Al Dhaheri stressed that the UAE has emerged as an example globally in terms of successful containment and management of emergencies, crises, and disasters across the country.

In its fight against the pandemic, the UAE adopted several local preventive procedures that helped in boosting the health and food security of the entire community. At the same time, it carried out various precautionary procedures and established equipping hospitals and healthcare centers across the country to contain the spread of the virus.

Dr. Al Dhaheri pointed out that the UAE has given a flexible model for tackling the pandemic crisis using regular assessments and quick adaptation of suitable solutions to overcome the crisis.

He added that the UAE's health sector is working on opening seven field hospitals in March, which will have a total bed capacity of 2,058 with 292 beds for critical cases. Equipped with the latest medical supplies, field hospitals provide extraordinary treatment services and treatments to patients in accordance with the highest international medical standards, he said.

Dr. Al Dhaheri further noted that the field hospitals are being established as per the directives of the UAE leadership to support the ongoing efforts to address the spread of Coronavirus. He explained that the UAE health sector has successfully administered more than six million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, adding that more than 3,777,143 people have been vaccinated so far. With this development, 48.71 percent of targeted groups have taken the vaccine, out of whom 64.52 percent of senior citizens have been vaccinated, he added.

The NCEMA spokesperson stressed that the UAE has been continuously carrying out COVID-19 tests with the aim of ensuring the early detection of infections. In line with these efforts, the total number of Coronavirus tests performed around the country has increased to 32 million.

Further, he highlighted that violations to COVID-19 measures and irresponsible practices were reported during regular inspections. Taking note of the circumstances, relevant authorities are cautiously resuming economic activities and loosening precautionary measures such that normalcy returns to the country while curbing the spread of the virus.

He revealed last month authorities recorded a total of 55,966 violations around the country, adding that failure to wear face masks was the most common violation accounting for 47% of the fines during the period.

It was followed by the lack of compliance by shops and commercial facilities with necessary precautionary measures which accounted for 20.5% of the fines from this period, the failure to following social distancing was recorded at 17.5%, and the lack of commitment to the allowed number of people in one vehicle (8%0, and large gatherings by 4.5%.

Later, he thanked all members of the community for their support of the ongoing efforts to combat the pandemic.

"To all members of the ‘Emirati White Army’ in hospitals and testing centers, both frontline heroes and loyal volunteers from all nationalities, thank you, our frontline heroes, who are working in silence fighting the pandemic to ensure our community’s safety, health and wellbeing," he added.

In this regard, he said that addressing the pandemic is a shared responsibility of all individuals and institutions. Adherence to relevant precautionary measures is the real expression of people's gratitude to the significant achievements of UAE's medical teams and frontline workers, he asserted.

The NCEMA spokesperson underlined that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the community in various ways, particularly with an increase in the spread of fake news. It has negatively affected the UAE government's efforts to overcome the crisis, he added. However, authorities harnessed its media capacities to provide accurate information and facts to all members of the community, along with activating specialist digital platforms to spread awareness about recent developments. The UAE has also established a national call center aimed at helping people with information related to the crisis.

"The UAE has demonstrated the highest levels of transparency in addressing the crisis by regularly broadcasting media briefings to inform the public about recent relevant developments and precautionary measures, and has shown keenness to provide the public and the community with information related to the pandemic with transparency, responsibility, and honesty, which helped contain rumors," Dr. Al Dhaheri said.

In conclusion, the UAE government official called on the public to comply with necessary preventive and precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of the entire community amid the fight against the pandemic.

WAM