Highlights of the UAE government news briefing on the developments of COVID-19

Dr. Omar Al-Hammadi, the official spokesman of the UAE government news briefing on the developments of “COVID-19”:

• The average number of recorded cases has reached 305 cases per day in August, which is equivalent to 3.1 cases per 100,000 people only. While the total number of cases in the UAE between July and August have decreased by 21%.

• The death rate has decreased by 5.7% between July and August, while the average number of deaths in August was 0.01 per 100,000 cases.

• People who suffer type 1 diabetes, and women with gestational diabetes, in particular, are prone to suffer COVID-19 complications

• There is no evidence that COVID-19 complications are associated with diabetes drugs. But stopping the drugs or insulin use and high levels of blood sugar may cause serious complications in the body.

• The incubation period for the new Coronavirus ranges between 2 -14 days, while the onset of symptoms is approximately 4 to 5 days after infection. Elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases may show symptoms later than normal.

• The key factor to limit the spread of COVID-19 at this stage lays in the self-protection of each individual from the infection.

• Some social habits contribute to the transmission of infection, such as shaking hands, home visits, and negligence in following preventive measures under the impression of no COVID-19 symptoms are felt. Scientific studies have proven that not complaining of any symptoms does not indicate that there is no infection.

• Commitment to wearing a facemask is compulsory even if no COVID-19 symptoms are felt, in order to limit the spread of infection to others during the silent incubation period of the virus.

Dr. Omar AL Hammadi explains that the infection is not only associated with indoor and family gatherings but applies to all social events and gatherings whether at home, restaurant, or commercial facilities. Everyone is responsible to implement the preventive measures to protect themselves and those around them from the infection.