The UAE is reporting one of the lowest COVID-19 positivity rates in the world, despite daily infected cases remaining more than 2,500 on most days in January 2022. According to reports, the average positivity rate in the UAE remains below 0.5 percent. On Sunday, the UAE reported 2,291 positive infections from 459,244 PCR tests, recording 0.49 percent of positivity rate.

On the other hand, the United Kingdom reported a positivity rate of 7.1 percent, with France recording 9.7 percent, Israel 1.2 percent and the Philippines 6.9 percent. India (14.5 percent) and Pakistan (12.46 percent) have recorded some of the highest COVID-19 positivity rates in the world in recent weeks.

According to medicos in the UAE, one of the primary reasons behind the low number of COVID-19 positive cases in the country is the strict safety measures implemented by the government to curb the spread of the virus.

Dr Marwa El Ghandour, Specialist (Clinical Pathology) at Bareen International Hospital, MBZ City, Abu Dhabi, noted that government protocols have ensured the health and safety of the community. Protocols such as regular testing of residents in various sectors, including healthcare workers, schools, government units, and public places, has helped in containing the number of COVID-19 cases.

Doctors have also hailed the efforts of residents in following the safety protocols to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

"The general public continuously adhering to the basic health and safety measures such as regular hand washing/sanitizing, mask wearing, and physical distancing curb the spread of the virus as well," the doctor said.

Dr Sarla Kumari, specialist physician diabetologist at Dubai's Canadian Specialists Hospital, said that there has been a rise in PCR testing due to the updated COVID-19 rules requiring residents to present PCR test results for various activities. She further called for expanding the need for PCR testing for domestic and international travel along with entry in federal government departments.

"Some companies importantly put bar on employees to have every fortnightly test for covid and some school need tests for teachers- for precautionary measures," she added.

As per the data, 100 percent of UAE's eligible population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. According to doctors, it has also helped in containing the positivity rates.

As per the UAE's Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), the country's health sector has administered a total of 23.5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, taking the rate to 237.89 doses per 100 people. As of January 30, the total number of COVID-19 cases in UAE are 843,030, while total recoveries stand at 776,186.