A coronavirus tracing programme has been developed by researchers at UAE University and Department of Health Abu Dhabi to track movement. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Government Media Office
A coronavirus tracing programme has been developed by researchers at UAE University and Department of Health Abu Dhabi to track movement. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Government Media Office
A coronavirus tracing programme has been developed by researchers at UAE University and Department of Health Abu Dhabi to track movement. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Government Media Office
A coronavirus tracing programme has been developed by researchers at UAE University and Department of Health Abu Dhabi to track movement. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Government Media Office

Abu Dhabi develops Covid-19 modelling programme to track infections


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Health authorities and researchers in Abu Dhabi have developed a programme to track coronavirus infections in the emirate.

The modelling programme will help inform future safety measures and movement restrictions in Abu Dhabi as well as identify the areas that require more testing or increased hospital beds.

The programme, created by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health and the UAE University, uses an algorithm to predict potential outbreaks in specific areas and will allow authorities to allocate resources accordingly to prevent this.

“The information produced by this model will contribute to developing pre-emptive plans to tackle the virus and implementing imperative initiatives that will contribute to protecting the health and well-being of the community,” a statement from the Department of Health read.

The model creates a virtual map, which identifies areas with high rates of the virus around the emirate.

“It highlights future requirements for the community through the information it provides and its unique features. These features take into consideration the different segments of society including their locations, ages, and illnesses they have previously or currently suffer from,” the department said.

The programme was developed with input from specialists in epidemiology, public health, data science, mathematical modelling, artificial intelligence, engineering sciences and transportation analysis.

It can anticipate the resources needed and numbers of daily casualties in the short term with an accuracy rate of more than 90 per cent, the department said.

“With this tool, decisions based on scientific evidence, analysis, and reading of big data have been adopted, with several initiatives implemented on the ground to ensure the sustainability of the emirate's health sector infrastructure under the current circumstances,” said Ghaleb Ali Al Buraiki, deputy director for academic affairs and acting director of UAEU.

“It also focuses in particular on ensuring the readiness of the workforce and forecasting the health resources required at all times during this pandemic,” he said.

Dr Jamal Al Kaabi, acting undersecretary of the Department of Health, said the programme would help plan prevention measures and contribute to the emirate’s containment of the virus.

“Through this unprecedented pandemic that the globe is facing, we have demonstrated that no obstacle is too challenging for our society as we move towards maintaining the health and well-being of our community," he said.

"Despite the current circumstances, we continue our approach based on scientific research, and the implementation of modern technologies to ensure high quality healthcare treatment is accessible to all residents in Abu Dhabi. This also demonstrates the department’s targeted prevention approach.

“This represents the cornerstone of our vision, and will continue along the same path, determined to contain and control Covid-19.”

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Company profile

Name: Thndr

Started: October 2020

Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: FinTech

Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000

Funding stage: series A; $20 million

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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

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Essentials

The flights

Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours. 

The package

Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Profile

Company name: Marefa Digital

Based: Dubai Multi Commodities Centre

Number of employees: seven

Sector: e-learning

Funding stage: Pre-seed funding of Dh1.5m in 2017 and an initial seed round of Dh2m in 2019

Investors: Friends and family 

Company%20Profile
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What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

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Did you know?

Brunch has been around, is some form or another, for more than a century. The word was first mentioned in print in an 1895 edition of Hunter’s Weekly, after making the rounds among university students in Britain. The article, entitled Brunch: A Plea, argued the case for a later, more sociable weekend meal. “By eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would make life brighter for Saturday night carousers. It would promote human happiness in other ways as well,” the piece read. “It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.” More than 100 years later, author Guy Beringer’s words still ring true, especially in the UAE, where brunches are often used to mark special, sociable occasions.

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

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