UAE achieved new successes in addressing the pandemic

ABU DHABI / WAM

Dr Noura Al Ghaithi, Official Spokesperson of the UAE Health Sector, has said the UAE has achieved new successes in addressing the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and strengthened its global stature in few months.
During the UAE government media briefing on the Covid-19 pandemic, Al Ghaithi stated that the vital sectors had demonstrated a high level of harmony and cooperation in reaching the recovery phase. “Today, we are blessed with what the national system has achieved, with the integration and commitment of all members of society.”
The UAE health sector continues to achieve herd immunity by providing vaccines to eligible categories, she added, noting that 97.16 percent of the population have received the first dose of the vaccine, while 87 percent are fully vaccinated.
“Recent figures indicate that we are approaching herd immunity and the return to normalcy, and the vaccine has largely contributed to reducing infection and death rates,” she added, while stressing the importance of receiving the vaccine booster shots according to the approved protocols in the country.
She then pointed out the country is continuing its plans and strategies to assess the situation regarding the pandemic and how it affects the community, affirming all local and regional scenarios are being considered and precautionary measures are updated accordingly to ensure the health and safety of all members of community.
Dr Al Ghaithi said, “The state’s efforts have been crowned with success during the past two years, and today we see the fruits of what has been achieved by all segments of society.”
She stressed the importance of the societal role to preserve all the gains achieved to return to the gradual openness of all sectors, which requires everyone to abide by the country’s protocols.
National health authorities are advising people to adhere to relevant precautionary measures since the pandemic outbreak, including physical distancing, wearing face masks and sanitising hands, Al Ghaithi further added, while pointing out that these measures have become a new lifestyle that people need to adhere to.
New Covid-19 variants have been discovered in several countries that are still being monitored by experts and researchers to assess their levels of risk. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has highlighted a number of alarming virus variants spreading across the world, she said.
She continued that the Delta variant is spreading most rapidly in October 2021, followed by the Alpha variant, which is still spreading in the Americas and some European countries, while the Beta variant is mainly affecting the US and South Africa, and the Gamma variant is spreading mainly in South America.
She then noted that Sars-Cov-2 has now spread around most of the world. Therefore, pandemic centres and the WHO are analysing the characteristics of these variants to inform the public health authorities.
“International health reports revealed a direct link between severe illness and ageing, weak immunity and chronic diseases. However, all available vaccines are effective in reducing the severity of illness and hospitalisation rate,” Al Ghaithi added.
“Those wishing to travel should follow the protocols of their destination countries and adhere to local precautionary measures. We urge everyone to take the vaccine or strengthen their protection by getting the booster shots,” she added.
At the end of the briefing, she thanked the public for trusting the health sector and their adherence, lauding the role of the community in reducing infections to less than 100 cases per day.
She also urged the public to follow the situation regarding the pandemic in the country through official sources, and updated resolutions and protocols.