Riyadh shuts down embassy in Sanaa

Dubai, Apr 13: The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) on Monday announced 172 new recoveries in the country, taking the total recoveries to 852 cases.

"With today's 172 cases, the total number of fully recovered Covid-19 patients has become 852, while three residents of different nationalities were declared dead, taking the total number of deaths to 25," Dr Farida Al Hosani, spokeswoman for the ministry, said.

"We have also carried out up to 23,380 new tests on Monday all over the country."

Also read: UAE residency, visit visas valid until end-2020

Dr Hosani said His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has launched the national home-based testing programme for determined people, be they nationals or residents.

"The program, targeting this important segment of the society who have difficulty doing tests outdoors, is part of the national drive-through testing national program."

Addressing some baseless rumours that are viral on social media, Dr Al Hosani confirmed that no one can fix a date for the peak of infected cases.

"So many studies have affirmed that physical distancing is so critical in reducing not only the number of Cobid-19 new cases but also the infection curve."

Dr Al Hosani advised the public to wear gloves whenever they go out. "However, do not touch your personal stuff when wearing gloves, particularly when using your phone, and safely dispose of them."

It is still so critical to clean your hands with water and soap on a regular basis, she underlined. "Cleaning and washing our hands are much better and safer than wearing gloves."

Wearing one-time disposable surgical gloves is highly advisable, she said. "If not available, hand-made cloth masks can be used but need to be cleaned regularly with water and soap."

Masks should be worn properly covering the nose, mouth and the chin, she pointed out. "Do not touch the internal or external parts of the face masks, while the blue colour side must be always outward."

Priority in drive-through tests are given for those with respiratory issues, senior people, and pregnant women, she said in answer to a question raised by media people.

"If you are developing no Covid-19 infection symptoms and just wish to make sure you are sound, you need to book an appointment, be aware that it will cost you Dh370."

"If developing minor symptoms, the public is urged to stay home and call any of these toll-free numbers for help: (800011111), (8001717), (800342)."

A patient in hospital with Covid-19 has given birth to a healthy baby boy in Dubai.

The 25-year-old Indian was admitted to Al Zahra Hospital after testing positive on May 2.

Although the baby was not due to arrive until May 19, the woman went into labour three days later and delivered a healthy boy weighing 3.8kg.

The parents are yet to name the child, who has also been tested for the virus.

“When we first received the Covid-19 positive diagnosis, we were afraid for the health of both my wife and the baby,” said the boy’s father, who did not want to give his name.

“Thankfully with the help of the doctors and nurses at Al Zahra Hospital, my son was born with no complications and my wife remains in stable condition.

“We couldn’t be more grateful.”

Despite arriving two weeks early, both mother and child are doing well but will only be allowed to leave the hospital to return to their home in Dubai after they return three negative tests on the trot.

“The contractions started very suddenly and it all happened very quickly,” said Al Zahra Hospital nursing director Maysoon Yousef.

“The delivery took about 10 to 15 minutes which is something we do not see very often.

“There were no complications and both the mother and baby are in good condition.”

Strict measures are in place to ensure hygiene for those inside the hospital, as well as visitors.

The new mum and her son are in the same room as the baby needs to be nursed.

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, a US national public health institute, there is no evidence that suggests the virus can be transmitted through breastfeeding.

New mothers infected with the virus should wear a mask, wash their hands before and after touching the baby.

“We operate by the latest Covid-19 international and local guidelines when it comes to the management of our maternity patients and otherwise,” said Dr Ghassan Lutfi, head of obstetrics and gynaecology at the hospital.

“We take strict measures to guarantee that there is no risk of cross contamination and that all our patients are in safe hands.”

Abu Dhabi, Jul 20: The United Arab Emirates launched its first-ever interplanetary Hope Probe mission to Mars from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre at 01:58 a.m. (local time) on Monday.

"United Arab Emirates (UAE) launches its first mission to Mars, the 'Hope Mars Mission' from Japan's Tanegashima Space Center," UAE Space Agency said on its Twitter page.

The spacecraft is expected to reach Mars orbit in about 200 days from now and then begin its mission to study the Red Planet's atmosphere, WAM news agency reported.

Once it enters Mars' orbit in the first quarter of 2021, the Hope probe will mark the UAE's 50th anniversary.

The probe will travel 493 million kilometres into space in a journey that will take seven months, and will orbit the Red Planet for one full Martian year of 687 days to provide the first truly global picture of the Martian atmosphere.

The Hope probe will be the first to study the Martian climate throughout daily and seasonal cycles. It will observe the weather phenomena on Mars such as the massive famous dust storms that have been known to engulf the Red Planet, as compared to the short and localised dust storms on Earth.

It will also examine the interaction between the upper and lower layers of the Martian atmosphere and causes of the Red Planet's surface corrosion, as well as study why Mars is losing its upper atmosphere.

Exploring connections between today's Martian weather and the ancient climate of the Red Planet will give deeper insights into the past and future of Earth as well as the potential of life on Mars and other distant planets.

The Hope Mars Mission is considered as the biggest strategic and scientific national initiative announced by UAE's President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2014. The UAE will be the first Arab nation to embark on a space mission to the Red Planet in a journey that contributes to the international science community as a service to human knowledge.

The interplanetary mission is the first by any West Asian, Arab or Muslim majority country.