UAE Covid-19 recovery rate climbs to 90%; children above two should wear masks

The UAE reported 164 new Covid-19 cases on Monday, August 3, taking the overall number of cases detected within the country up to 61,163.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention also reported 248 new recoveries. Therefore, 54,863 people have recovered from the virus.

There are now 5,949 active cases in the country. Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, confirmed that 90 per cent of Covid-19 cases in the country had already recovered, placing the UAE among the countries with the highest recovery rate in the world.

.
آخر الإحصائيات حول إصابات فيروس كوفيد 19 في الإمارات
.
.
The latest update of Coronavirus (Covid 19) in the UAE#التزامك_حياتك#ملتزمون_يا_وطن#فيروس_كورونا_المستجد #كوفيد19#وزارة_الصحة_ووقاية_المجتمع_الإمارات#coronavirus#covid19#mohap_uae pic.twitter.com/Ptx1ryxKLA

— وزارة الصحة ووقاية المجتمع الإماراتية – MOHAP UAE (@mohapuae) August 3, 2020

While the new cases were detected following 27,811 tests to screen for the virus, officials confirmed that the UAE has completed over five million laboratory Covid-19 tests to date.

For the third consecutive day, no new deaths were recorded.

Dr Omar Al Hammadi, the official spokesperson for the UAE Government, added that people must continue physical distancing and wearing masks.

He added that while the surgical type is most common, a fabric mask preferably consisting of more than one layer, can also be used.

Care must be taken while removing the mask and it is not advised to leave them hanging around the neck or over the forehead

The spokesperson said that children were not immune from the virus, especially those who suffer from chronic diseases, noting that although children are less likely to develop severe symptoms, they are able to carry the virus and transmit it.

He stated that it is recommended that children over the age of two also wear masks, but they should not wear it if they have difficulty breathing or are unable to remove it themselves.

With regards to the use of swimming pools, he said that there is no scientific evidence to prove that the virus passes between people in seawater and swimming pools.

However, those using swimming pools must continue to physically distance themselves from others at a distance of not less than two meters.