The UAE is pushing ahead with efforts to potentially develop two types of Covid-19 vaccine, AbdulRahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention said.
The vaccines are being tested with more than 15,000 volunteers participating, he said.
“We are in the third stage of the study and clinical trials, and all conditions and requirements for the safety of volunteer participants will be fulfilled,” Mr Al Owais said on Monday night.
If either vaccine is confirmed to be safe and effective, it will move to the manufacturing phase.
The country has also carried out 4.18 million tests so far, helping to control the spread of the virus, a government spokeswoman said on Monday night.
A further 344 cases of the coronavirus were detected in the UAE after 34,478 tests were conducted for the virus, Dr Amna Al Shamsi said.
The new infections brought the country’s total to 55,198 since late January.
Dr Al Shamsi said 373 more people recovered from the virus, taking total recoveries to 45,513.
One patient died of complications, adding to a death toll of 334.
The UAE has also developed an online database offering credible information on Covid-19, according to an official from the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority.
The website will include the latest data on the number of cases in the country, graphs and interactive maps that will allow users to identify the nearest health centre.
The information on the platform will be updated by the Authority, the Ministry of Health and Prevention, and the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority.
Most hospitals in the Emirates are now free of coronavirus cases.
On Monday, Dubai closed a second field hospital after discharging the centre's final 17 patients. Last week, the largest field hospital, in Dubai World Trade Centre, closed for coronavirus patients.
Private hospitals in Abu Dhabi are also now clear of Covid-19 cases.
Authorities said hospitals managed by Burjeel Medical Group, NMC Group and Ain Al Khaleej are no longer treating patients with the virus and that anyone with symptoms should visit Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Hospital or Al Ain Hospital.
'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'
Rating: 3/5
Directed by: David Yates
Starring: Mads Mikkelson, Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Jude Law
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
57%20Seconds
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New process leads to panic among jobseekers
As a UAE-based travel agent who processes tourist visas from the Philippines, Jennifer Pacia Gado is fielding a lot of calls from concerned travellers just now. And they are all asking the same question.
“My clients are mostly Filipinos, and they [all want to know] about good conduct certificates,” says the 34-year-old Filipina, who has lived in the UAE for five years.
Ms Gado contacted the Philippines Embassy to get more information on the certificate so she can share it with her clients. She says many are worried about the process and associated costs – which could be as high as Dh500 to obtain and attest a good conduct certificate from the Philippines for jobseekers already living in the UAE.
“They are worried about this because when they arrive here without the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] clearance, it is a hassle because it takes time,” she says.
“They need to go first to the embassy to apply for the application of the NBI clearance. After that they have go to the police station [in the UAE] for the fingerprints. And then they will apply for the special power of attorney so that someone can finish the process in the Philippines. So it is a long process and more expensive if you are doing it from here.”
Results:
6.30pm: Maiden | US$45,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres
Winner: Tabarak, Royston Ffrench (jockey), Rashed Bouresly (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap | $175,000 (Turf) | 3,200m
Winner: Dubhe, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
Winner: Estihdaaf, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor
8.15pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,800m
Winner: Nordic Lights, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 Group 2 | $450,000 (D) | 1,900m
Winner: North America, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
9.25pm: Handicap | $175,000 (T) | 1,200m
Winner: Mazzini, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
10pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,400m.
Winner: Mubtasim, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
