Latest: Only vaccinated people allowed in many Abu Dhabi public spaces
As the Delta coronavirus variant becomes more common in the UAE, experts have said that it is set to account for a greater proportion of infections worldwide too.
Originating in India last October and now present in more than 80 countries, this more transmissible form of the virus now accounts for 33.9 per cent of Covid-19 cases in the UAE.
Dr Andrew Freedman, an infectious diseases specialist at Cardiff University in the UK, said the Delta variant was “very likely” to become dominant worldwide.
It transmits more easily than the other ones we know about. It's likely to take over as it has in the UK
“It’s only a matter of time,” he said. “It’s spread quite widely. It transmits more easily than the other ones we know about. It’s likely to take over as it has in the UK.”
The Delta variant is estimated to be 64 per cent more transmissible than the Alpha (UK) variant, and about twice as easily spread as the original form of the coronavirus.
Its ability to push out other variants is illustrated starkly by events in the UK. In April, it accounted for just one per cent of cases there, but by the middle of June, it was responsible for more than 90 per cent of infections.
Meanwhile, in Australia, Delta variant cases have now caused the government to put 18 million people or about seven in 10 of the population under restrictions.
Changes to the spike protein are thought to be responsible for the increased transmissibility, as these may help the virus to bind more effectively to human cells, which it enters before multiplying.
“If someone who has the Delta variant has more virus in their throat, then they will more easily transmit it,” said Dr Freedman.
For the moment, the Delta variant continues to trail its Beta counterpart in prevalence in the UAE with the latter, which originated in South Africa, responsible for 39.2 per cent of cases, according to data released this week.
Delta variant on the rise
The Alpha variant, first detected in south-east England, is responsible for 11.3 per cent of infections in the Emirates.
But results from other countries suggest that the Delta variant will grow in prevalence in the UAE compared with other forms of the coronavirus.
In the US, the Delta variant accounts for at least one in five coronavirus infections, and the country’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that cases of it are doubling every fortnight.
Recently, a mutated form, known as Delta Plus, which contains an additional mutation that may make it more resistant to vaccines, has been detected in at least a dozen countries.
While the Delta variant is becoming more common globally, Dr Freedman said it was possible that “even more transmissible” variants would emerge.
Delta increases prospect of serious infection
As well as spreading more easily, the Delta variant may be more likely to cause severe disease, with Public Health England (PHE) indicating that it causes 2.61 times the risk of hospital admission compared with the Alpha variant.
Symptoms linked to Delta variant infection sometimes differ from those reported early on in the pandemic, with more people reporting a cold-like illness, while a loss of the sense of smell is less common.
In India, doctors have reported the variant has caused cases of gangrene because of hypercoagulation, in which the blood clots too easily.
Efficacy of vaccines against Delta variant
Current vaccines are “not quite as effective” at preventing illness in people infected with the Delta variant, but do still work, Dr Freedman said, and probably reduce transmission too.
People who have had a full course of two injections of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are 88 per cent less likely to develop symptomatic illness if they subsequently become infected with the Delta variant, compared with 93 per cent less likely with the Alpha variant.
When it comes to preventing hospital admission, two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech shot are 96 per cent effective against the Delta variant, according to PHE data.
The Oxford-AstraZeneca shot has lower efficacy against the Delta variant, but is still highly effective at preventing serious illness.
People fully vaccinated with the shot are 60 per cent less likely to have symptomatic illness if they are infected with the Delta variant as against 66 per cent with the Alpha variant.
PHE says that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is 92 per cent effective at preventing hospital admission from the Delta variant.
PHE's figures highlight the importance of having a full course of two injections, as the Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca shots prevent only one third of Covid-19 cases from the Delta variant after a single dose.
In pictures: UAE vaccine drive
Brief scores:
Toss: Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi, chose to field
Environment Agency: 193-3 (20 ov)
Ikhlaq 76 not out, Khaliya 58, Ahsan 55
Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi: 194-2 (18.3 ov)
Afridi 95 not out, Sajid 55, Rizwan 36 not out
Result: Pakhtunkhwa won by 8 wickets
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ARABIAN GULF LEAGUE FIXTURES
Thursday, September 21
Al Dahfra v Sharjah (kick-off 5.35pm)
Al Wasl v Emirates (8.30pm)
Friday, September 22
Dibba v Al Jazira (5.25pm)
Al Nasr v Al Wahda (8.30pm)
Saturday, September 23
Hatta v Al Ain (5.25pm)
Ajman v Shabab Al Ahli (8.30pm)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Pakistan World Cup squad
Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez(subject to fitness), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Junaid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain
Two additions for England ODIs: Mohammad Amir and Asif Ali
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Short-term let permits explained
Homeowners and tenants are allowed to list their properties for rental by registering through the Dubai Tourism website to obtain a permit.
Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.
There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.
Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.
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
Correspondents
By Tim Murphy
(Grove Press)
Day 5, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Given the problems Sri Lanka have had in recent times, it was apt the winning catch was taken by Dinesh Chandimal. He is one of seven different captains Sri Lanka have had in just the past two years. He leads in understated fashion, but by example. His century in the first innings of this series set the shock win in motion.
Stat of the day This was the ninth Test Pakistan have lost in their past 11 matches, a run that started when they lost the final match of their three-Test series against West Indies in Sharjah last year. They have not drawn a match in almost two years and 19 matches, since they were held by England at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi in 2015.
The verdict Mickey Arthur basically acknowledged he had erred by basing Pakistan’s gameplan around three seam bowlers and asking for pitches with plenty of grass in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Why would Pakistan want to change the method that has treated them so well on these grounds in the past 10 years? It is unlikely Misbah-ul-Haq would have made the same mistake.
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David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
