UAE COVID-19 pandemic toll climbs to 520 as 1,214 new cases confirmed

The UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention said the total number of cases since the pandemic began has reached 145,599, with the death toll now 520. (File/Reuters)
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Updated 12 November 2020
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UAE COVID-19 pandemic toll climbs to 520 as 1,214 new cases confirmed

  • UAE says 741 patients have recovered in past 24 hours
  • Kuwait records 778 cases and 5 deaths

DUBAI: The UAE on Wednesday recorded 1,214 new coronavirus cases and two deaths.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention said the total number of cases since the pandemic began has reached 145,599, with the death toll now 520.
The ministry added that 741 people recovered over the previous 24 hours, bringing the total number of recoveries to 140,442.
Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health conducted a study of 1,038 people infected with COVID-19 who follow a healthy diet.
The study showed that there is a strong correlation between the individual’s lifestyle and the number of days they spend in hospital for treatment of symptoms associated with the virus.
Patients who follow a healthy diet spend less time in hospital compared with those who do not, the study found. 
“A healthy diet is important during the COVID-19 pandemic, because what the body consumes can affect its ability to fight and recover from diseases,” the department said in a statement on WAM.
Sumaya Al-Ameri, of the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, said: “The study confirmed that adopting a healthy lifestyle contributes to strengthening the body’s immunity against diseases in general and against the symptoms associated with infection with the COVID-19 virus in particular.”
Al-Ameri said proper exercise, adequate sleep and avoiding unhealthy habits such as smoking are also important.
Abu Dhabi’s Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Committee said the emirate continues to maintain a low percentage of confirmed coronavirus cases compared with the total number of tests conducted, due to its national screening program and other testing initiatives.

“The percentage of confirmed cases per total tests conducted in the emirate over the past three months remained low at 0.39 percent,” it added.
Meanwhile, Dubai Economy issued a fine to an electronic trading establishment for breaching anti-COVID-19 measures during daily inspection tours.
Elsewhere, Kuwait recorded 778 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 134,159. The death toll reached 826 after five new fatalities were registered.

Oman’s health ministry confirmed 302 new cases and five deaths, bringing the total to 119,186 and 1,321, respectively.

In Bahrain, one death was reported, bringing the death toll to 332, while 231 new infected cases were confirmed.


King Hamad says Bahrain 'committed to peace' as Iran attacks continue

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King Hamad says Bahrain 'committed to peace' as Iran attacks continue

LONDON: Bahrain is committed to the "path of peace" King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa said on Saturday as the kingdom continued to be targeted by Iranian attacks.

Bahrain supports efforts that "enhance security and stability in the region and the world," the king said during a phone call with Spain's King Felipe VI.

"The people of the Kingdom of Bahrain are peaceful and believe in tolerance and coexistence," Bahrain News Agency reported him saying.

 His comments came on another day of Iranian strikes against Gulf countries in response to the US-Israeli attack on Iran.

Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, has been targeted by waves of drone and missile strikes since the conflict started on February 28.

Loud explosions were heard Saturday evening in Bahrain's capital Manama, AFP reported. Bahrain's interior ministry said there was fire and material damage to a house and surrounding building in Manama following strikes from Iran.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said it had targeted US forces at Bahrain's Jufair base.

Another wave of attacks were directed at the kingdom earlier in the morning.

The UAE said its air defences intercepted 15 missiles and 119 drones on Saturday morning as attacks disrupted flights in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Qatar said on Saturday it had intercepted a missile, shortly after AFP journalists heard explosions and sirens sounding in central Doha.
"Armed forces intercepted (a) missile attack which targeted (the) State of Qatar," the defence ministry said.

*With AFP