People with symptoms of coronavirus who avoid taking a test must shoulder much of the blame for the rising number of cases, senior doctors have said.
Some patients are writing symptoms off as flu and have not taken a test or isolated at home, they said.
Other factors in the spread of infection include new variants of the virus, more socialising indoors as temperatures increase, fewer people wearing masks and waning immunity from vaccines.
“The rise in cases is due to casual attitude towards Covid-19 protocols,” said Dr Ahmed Khairy, head of the department of internal medicine at NMC Royal Hospital in Abu Dhabi.
Many people are neglecting the importance of mask rules and are avoiding getting tested when showing symptoms
Dr Ahmed Khairy,
NMC Royal Hospital
The infection rate has increased from 200 a day last month to more than 1,400 a day this week, but doctors said few people required hospital treatment and a low number of patients had pneumonia.
“The number of viral infections has gone up, some are getting influenza and others are picking up new Covid variants,” said Dr Saheer Sainalabdeen, a specialist in respiratory medicine at Medeor Hospital in Dubai.
“But the numbers needing hospital treatment for Covid-related issues are very low.
“There are lots of other viruses causing issues like colds, coughs and throat pain, and very few people are being admitted for pneumonia as we have seen in previous waves of Covid.”
The latest seven-day average for Covid-19 cases in the UAE is 1,413, up from 326 at about this time in May.
While doctors urged people with health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness or cancer to take extra precautions, they said the sharp increase in cases was not necessarily a cause for concern.
“More people are inside now due to the hotter weather, and this is a viral infection,” said Dr Sainalabdeen, who has been treating coronavirus patients since the early days of the pandemic.
'Milder but highly spreadable'
“Those in close contact with others who have the virus will pick it up,” he said.
“If you are in contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid, you should also be getting tested.”
In March, the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority said quarantine was no longer required for those in close contact with a positive case, but it is still necessary to get tested.
Health professionals have reported more common symptoms of fever, body aches and a sore throat during the current wave of infections.
A fever usually subsides within 72 hours, and as 100 per cent of the country is now vaccinated to some degree, symptoms usually pass without the need for hospital care in most cases.
Dr Khairy said complacency contributed to more cases in recent weeks.
“Many people are neglecting the importance of mask rules and are avoiding getting tested when they have minor symptoms,” he said.
“Another reason is the complacency in wearing masks indoor.
“Fortunately, with availability of vaccines and herd immunity the hospitalisation has reduced significantly.”
The number of people around the world with the virus has increased as mask mandates and restrictions on movement are cut.
Since June 12, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said air passengers travelling from abroad to the US will no longer require a negative Covid-19 viral test or documentation of recovery before boarding their flight.
The seven-day average of new cases has risen to 87,380 on June 20, up from 42,894 on April 20.
Meanwhile in the UK, the number of people in English hospitals with Covid-19 complications has increased by 24 per cent in a week.
NHS England data showed 5,726 coronavirus patients were admitted to hospital, up from 4,602 last Monday. Doctors attributed the rise to more socialising during Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee weekend celebrations.
Dr Pawan Kumar Shrivastava, a consultant internal medicine at NMC Specialty Hospital in Al Nahda, Dubai, said people must not ignore precautions and government advice.
“We have lost so many of our friends and relatives in the last Covid wave, and we don’t want a similar situation again,” he said.
“The disease is milder, but that doesn’t mean we should not take precautions, as this can change at any time to severe disease.
“Once again, I emphasise on the proper use of mask, early diagnosis and effective home quarantine is the key to controlling this deadly infection.”
What are the rules?
Dubai
Anyone who gives a positive PCR test for the coronavirus is a confirmed case. That means isolating for 10 days, even if symptoms are not present.
The Dubai Health Authority said citizens should download the Covid-19 DXB app. Those who do not will be liable for a Dh10,000 ($2,722) fine.
After that, “immediate” isolation in a separate room from family is required and employers must be notified.
The 10-day home isolation period is mandatory. The first day is the day the PCR test was taken.
Abu Dhabi
Latest Covid-19 rules in the UAE: all you need to know
A person who gives two positive tests is a confirmed case. Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre said high-risk categories — those who are 50 years old or above or have severe symptoms or have a chronic disease or pregnant women — should visit a primary assessment centre for a check-up and isolation measure advice following a first positive test.
Those to whom the above does not apply, such as patients who demonstrate no symptoms following a positive test, should visit any health centre in the emirate for retesting.
The isolation period is 10 days and two negative PCR tests are needed to end quarantine. This period can be cut short if two negative tests are returned 24 hours apart.
Labourers of government and private companies are required to call 909 immediately for coordination of transportation to designated isolation centres.
Anyone who experiences severe respiratory symptoms is urged to call 999.
HOW TO WATCH
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
INDIA'S%20TOP%20INFLUENCERS
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
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Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
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Name: Yousef Al Bahar
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Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Huroob Ezterari
Director: Ahmed Moussa
Starring: Ahmed El Sakka, Amir Karara, Ghada Adel and Moustafa Mohammed
Three stars
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Everton 2 (Tosun 9', Doucoure 93')
Rotherham United 1 (Olosunde 56')
Man of the Match Olosunde (Rotherham)
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium, Malayisa
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia on October 10
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
'Laal Kaptaan'
Director: Navdeep Singh
Stars: Saif Ali Khan, Manav Vij, Deepak Dobriyal, Zoya Hussain
Rating: 2/5
Revival
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Why the Tourist Club?
Originally, The Club (which many people chose to call the “British Club”) was the only place where one could use the beach with changing rooms and a shower, and get refreshments.
In the early 1970s, the Government of Abu Dhabi wanted to give more people a place to get together on the beach, with some facilities for children. The place chosen was where the annual boat race was held, which Sheikh Zayed always attended and which brought crowds of locals and expatriates to the stretch of beach to the left of Le Méridien and the Marina.
It started with a round two-storey building, erected in about two weeks by Orient Contracting for Sheikh Zayed to use at one these races. Soon many facilities were planned and built, and members were invited to join.
Why it was called “Nadi Al Siyahi” is beyond me. But it is likely that one wanted to convey the idea that this was open to all comers. Because there was no danger of encountering alcohol on the premises, unlike at The Club, it was a place in particular for the many Arab expatriate civil servants to join. Initially the fees were very low and membership was offered free to many people, too.
Eventually there was a skating rink, bowling and many other amusements.
Frauke Heard-Bey is a historian and has lived in Abu Dhabi since 1968.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Try out the test yourself
Q1 Suppose you had $100 in a savings account and the interest rate was 2 per cent per year. After five years, how much do you think you would have in the account if you left the money to grow?
a) More than $102
b) Exactly $102
c) Less than $102
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
Q2 Imagine that the interest rate on your savings account was 1 per cent per year and inflation was 2 per cent per year. After one year, how much would you be able to buy with the money in this account?
a) More than today
b) Exactly the same as today
c) Less than today
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
Q4 Do you think that the following statement is true or false? “Buying a single company stock usually provides a safer return than a stock mutual fund.”
a) True
b) False
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
The “Big Three” financial literacy questions were created by Professors Annamaria Lusardi of the George Washington School of Business and Olivia Mitchell, of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Answers: Q1 More than $102 (compound interest). Q2 Less than today (inflation). Q3 False (diversification).
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
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Britain's travel restrictions
- A negative test 2 days before flying
- Complete passenger locator form
- Book a post-arrival PCR test
- Double-vaccinated must self-isolate
- 11 countries on red list quarantine
The specs
Price: From Dh529,000
Engine: 5-litre V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 520hp
Torque: 625Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.8L/100km
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
In numbers
Number of Chinese tourists coming to UAE in 2017 was... 1.3m
Alibaba’s new ‘Tech Town’ in Dubai is worth... $600m
China’s investment in the MIddle East in 2016 was... $29.5bn
The world’s most valuable start-up in 2018, TikTok, is valued at... $75bn
Boost to the UAE economy of 5G connectivity will be... $269bn
Breast cancer in men: the facts
1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.
2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash.
3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible.
4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key.
5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor
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Tottenham 1
Son 78'
Manchester City 0
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How England have scored their set-piece goals in Russia
Three Penalties
v Panama, Group Stage (Harry Kane)
v Panama, Group Stage (Kane)
v Colombia, Last 16 (Kane)
Four Corners
v Tunisia, Group Stage (Kane, via John Stones header, from Ashley Young corner)
v Tunisia, Group Stage (Kane, via Harry Maguire header, from Kieran Trippier corner)
v Panama, Group Stage (Stones, header, from Trippier corner)
v Sweden, Quarter-Final (Maguire, header, from Young corner)
One Free-Kick
v Panama, Group Stage (Stones, via Jordan Henderson, Kane header, and Raheem Sterling, from Tripper free-kick)
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