Coronavirus cases in the UAE topped 20,000 with 725 new confirmed cases as the Emirates continued its mass testing program for residents and citizens. So far there have been over 1.5 million tests conducted in a very aggressive testing program.
According to the ministry, 511 COVID-19 patients have fully recovered, raising the total COVID-19 recovery patients to 6,523.
Dr Amna Al-Dahak Al-Shamsi, the government spokesperson, reported three coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the number of deaths registered in the country to 206.
Coronavirus testing
Dr Shamsi added that free testing for UAE nationals would begin next week as part of the country’s efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The free testing would also be offered to household service workers of Emirati families such as drivers, caretakers and other support workers, and will include people of determination, pregnant women, residents over 50 years old, individuals with coronavirus symptoms and those who had direct contacts with active coronavirus patients.
“We are at an important stage in dealing with the virus, and containing it requires everyone to take responsibility by committing to eliminate it. Complacency will cause more infections and prolong the spread of the virus,” Dr Shamsi said.
“Care must be taken to adopt precautionary measures, such as physical distancing, avoiding gatherings and wearing face masks.”
Recovered Covid19 patients, treatment method
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) announced yesterday the launch of three clinics to collect convalescent plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients, revealing that one patient can donate three dosages, which can save two to three lives.
Dr Younis Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Healthcare Corporation at Dham said the therapy can speed up the recovery of patients by 85 to 90 percent.
He added that DHA established these clinics to collect the largest number of donations to treat coronavirus patients.
Dr Kazim said once a person recovers from the virus, they develop antibodies that will stay in their blood to fight the same virus. The plasma of patients who have completely recovered from COVID-19 is rich in antibodies that can fight off the virus when it is transfused into the Covid-19 patient, as these antibodies will boost the immune system of the patient.
The authority hopes that the number of convalescent plasma donations by recovered patients will increase after the establishment of these clinics in order to help treat as many patients suffering from medium to severe symptoms of COVID-19 as possible.
This move comes after health government entities in the country announced last month that it will be using convalescent plasma therapy after international medical results have found that they were effective.
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