Two new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the UAE, bringing the total number of people with the virus to seven.
They include a Filipino, who is the first non-Chinese national to test positive for the illness in the UAE. The other case affected a Chinese national.
The news was announced in a statement on Wam, the UAE’s news agency.
“The Ministry of Health and Prevention announced today two new cases of coronavirus which have been detected through continuous periodic examination in accordance with the standards of the World Health Organisation for people with symptoms of the emerging coronavirus, thus bringing the total number of cases discovered in the country to seven cases since the emergence of the virus,” it said.
“The Ministry asserted in a statement that one Chinese and one Filipino are under observation and necessary medical care in accordance with the highest health standards which are in force in the country,” it said.
On Thursday, it was announced that authorities are using an electronic database to help doctors detect potential cases of coronavirus during medical checkups.
The Wareed system - in place at Ministry of Health facilities in Dubai and the Northern Emirates - flags potential cases based on a patient’s symptoms and travel history.
Doctors enter the patient’s details during the consultation, as an algorithm scans the patient’s medical record to decide whether they could be at risk of suffering from the new coronavirus.
“The ministry stressed that the effectiveness of the electronic reporting system and the commitment of health facilities to report any new suspected cases which are in accordance with the monitoring procedures guidelines set up in all health facilities in the country to monitor any symptom that require any medical intervention to treat the disease,” said the statement.
“The Ministry also works in coordination with all sectors of the country to take all precautionary and preventive measures to ensure the safety and security of citizens and residents in the country.”
The global number of confirmed coronavirus cases surpassed 34,000 on Thursday, with at least 722 deaths.
The five previous cases of the virus in the UAE all occurred in Chinese tourists from Wuhan.
Additional reporting by Liza Ayach
SOURCE : KHALEEJTIMES