covid-19 Archives • Middle East 24/7

UAE is First Nation to Receive Revolutionary COVID-19 Medication

UAE Becomes First Nation to Receive Revolutionary COVID-19 Medication

Sotrovimab, the world’s newest anti-viral drug for COVID-19, is now available in the UAE for the early treatment of selected COVID-19 patients.

According to studies, the medicine works on all known variations and prevents severe sickness and death in 85 percent of early treatment cases.

Another First: UAE to Receive Ground-breaking COVID-19 Medication

The medication arrived in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, becoming the UAE the world’s first recipient, the National News reported.

Sotrovimab is an intravenous-administered antibody. It is not a vaccine, but rather a treatment.

It can be used to treat adults and children over the age of 12 who meet certain conditions and are at risk of severe Covid-19 occurrences, according to protocols approved by the National Scientific Committee.

Following the European Medicines Agency’s positive scientific opinion, GlaxoSmithKline applied to the US Food and Drug Administration and the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention to get Sotrovimab licensed for emergency use.

Both parties agreed on it.

According to a video report by the Khaleej Times, here’s what you need to know about the new COVID-19 therapy medicine, Sotrovimab:

KT Explains: Sotrovimab new treatment for Covid-19 (1/2)

The UAE’s health ministry, on Saturday, approved the emergency use of Sotrovimab (Vir-7831), becoming the first country in the world to both licence and enable immediate patient use. pic.twitter.com/BpcHQFd3Nz

— Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) May 30, 2021

The Abu Dhabi Department of Health and healthcare procurement business Rafed have secured an agreement with GlaxoSmithKline to ensure delivery as soon as June or July.

As a result, patients in the UAE will be among the world’s first to benefit from revolutionary therapy.

“We have been working very closely with the Department of Health and Rafed since the interim results of the clinical trials with Sotrovimab were available,” said Gizem Akalin, managing director of GlaxoSmithKline Gulf.

“The DoH and Rafed have been agile and passionate about accelerating patient access to promising new treatments to confront Covid-19,” he added.

Akalin stated that their collaboration with the Department of Health and Rafed is extensive, getting early access to Sotrovimab so that Abu Dhabi and the UAE residents would be among the first in the world to acquire this breakthrough treatment.

He also stated that there is a great deal of scientific and medical collaboration going on to ensure that medical teams are prepared and equipped.

“We see this close co-operation as another sign of Abu Dhabi’s rapid development as a hub for first-class treatment, medicines research, logistics and manufacturing.”

The Ministry of Health’s National Scientific Committee and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health worked on treatment processes to assist clinicians in identifying at-risk patients.

It assures that such patients, based on their risk profile and eligibility criteria, can get Sotrovimab.

“This medicine is at the forefront of pharmaceutical advancement and is a powerful tool in our fight to end this pandemic,” said Dr Jamal Al Kaabi, undersecretary for the health department.

“We look forward to implementing the eligibility criteria for emergency use of Sotrovimab as part of Abu Dhabi’s commitment to lead an all-encompassing Covid-19 response in prevention, treatment and care.”

UAE Offers Free Vaccination to All Residents Age 16 and Above

UAE Offers Free Vaccination to All Residents Aged 16 and Above

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has announced that vaccinations will be free for all residents aged 16 and above.

ALSO READ: Sponsoring Your Family in the UAE: A Guide

The announcement comes after the ministry prioritised the elderly and other vulnerable groups for the jab for six weeks.

Residents Age 16 and Above Can Now Receive Free Vaccination in the UAE

In line with this, starting Sunday (March 21), all eligible residents can book appointments in the most convenient location/clinic of their choice for the jab, the Khaleej Times reported.

The vaccine comes free of charge at over 205 health centers in the country. However, as per protocol, prior booking of appointments are mandatory, the ministry noted.

Over the last six weeks, more than 72 percent of senior citizens and those with chronic diseases in the country have received the COVID-19 vaccine.

Overall above 50% of the UAE’s population has received the vaccine.

Currently, there are four vaccines in use in the country. These are: Sinopharm, Pfizer, Sputnik V and AstraZeneca.

And as of March 20, the UAE has administered 7.18 million doses of the vaccine, with a distribution rate of 72.61 per 100 people.

Saudi Arabia to Require COVID-19 Vaccination for Hajj 2021

Saudi authorities have floated the possibility of requiring COVID-19 vaccination as part of the requirement to be allowed to attend the holy Hajj pilgrimage this year.

Saudi Arabia takes pride in the guardianship of Islam’s holiest sites in Mecca and Medina and its smooth organisation of the annual Hajj, which has been marred in the past by deadly stampedes, fires and riots.

Hajj 2021: Saudi Arabia to Require COVID-19 Vaccination

Saudi’s health minister said in a circular: “The COVID-19 vaccine is mandatory for those willing to come to the Haj and will be one of the main conditions (for receiving a permit to come),” Al Jazeera reported.

The congregation of millions of pilgrims from around the world can be a major cause of coronavirus transmission. In the past, worshippers have returned home with respiratory and other diseases.

In a circular released by Saudi’s Ministry of Health, its minister, Dr Tawfiq al-Rabiah said that the government must be prepared to “secure the manpower required to operate the health facilities in Mecca and Medina”.

In line with this, the facilities will be stationed at entry points for pilgrims, he said, in addition to a formation of a vaccination committee for pilgrims within Saudi Arabia.

Last year, the kingdom reduced the number of attendees and pilgrims last year due to the pandemic to 1,000.

Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime duty for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it, is a major source of income for the Saudi government.

The pilgrimage last year was performed by a limited number of Saudis and foreign Muslims residing in Saudi Arabia to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Saudi Suspends Travel from UAE, India, Pakistan Among 20 Countries

Saudi Arabia Suspends Travel from UAE, India, Pakistan Among 20 Countries

The Saudi government on Tuesday (February 2), suspended the entry of passengers from 20 countries, with the exception of diplomats, Saudi citizens, medical practitioners, and their families, to help curb the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus.

The temporary travel ban will take place starting February 3.

[COVID-19 UPDATE] Saudi Government Bars Travel to and from UAE, India, Pakistan and Other Countries

According to Saudi’s state news agency, the UAE, Pakistan, and India are among the 20 countries included in the temporary travel ban, the Khaleej Times reported.

A statement from the Ministry of Interior said that the suspension would be implemented from 9 pm (10 pm UAE time) on February 3.

The temporary travel suspension will include those coming from other countries if they passed through any of the 20 countries during the 14 days preceding the request to enter the Kingdom.

The statement added that citizens, diplomats, health practitioners, and their families coming from the aforementioned countries or those who transited any of those countries during the 14 days preceding their return to the Kingdom will enter the Kingdom in accordance with the precautionary measures imposed by the Ministry of Health.

Here is the list of the 20 countries included in Saudi’s travel suspension.

United Arab Emirates
Argentina
Germany
United States
Indonesia
Britain
South Africa
France
India
Pakistan
Egypt
Lebanon
Ireland
Italy
Brazil
Portugal
Turkey
Sweden
Switzerland
Japan

The ministry said that the decision was based on the recommendations of Saudi health ministry experts.

#عاجل
مصدر مسؤول بوزارة الداخلية: تعليق السماح بدخول المملكة لغير المواطنين والدبلوماسيين والممارسين الصحيين وعائلاتهم مؤقتاً للقادمين من 20 دولة اعتباراً من الساعة 9 من مساء يوم الأربعاء الموافق 3 / 2 / 2021م.#واس_عام pic.twitter.com/e1aTCS8tXP

— واس العام (@SPAregions) February 2, 2021

The kingdom has recorded at least 367,800 cases and 6,370 deaths so far, the highest tally in the Middle East. It saw daily infections fall from a peak above 4,000 in June to dip below the 100-mark in early January.

Bahrain to be Among the First Nations to Receive Coronavirus Vaccine

A top-ranking official at the BDF Hospital, on Tuesday (Nov. 10), announced that the kingdom as per the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander, and First Deputy Prime Minister, will be among the first countries in the world to receive the coronavirus vaccine.

ALSO READ: Bahrain Ranks No. 2 on Expat-Friendly List

H.H. Prince Al Khalifa has instructed the government to set proactive plans to deal with the coronavirus since the announcement of its global outbreak.

Residents of Bahrain to be Among the First Recipients of COVID Vaccine – Report

According to Dr. Al Qahtani, who’s also a member of the National Taskforce for Combating Covid-19, the government is mobilizing all of its capabilities and resources to address the pandemic in a way that ensures the health and safety of citizens and residents in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Khaleej Times reported.

Al Qahtani added that the National Taskforce, led by Supreme Council for Health (SCH) President Lieutenant-General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, is monitoring the developments in coronavirus vaccines to take the necessary proactive steps.

Al Qahtani revealed that the kingdom has placed an order back in August to purchase more than 1 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccines being developed by BioNTech and Pfizer; the British firm AstraZeneca, and China’s Sinopharm.

Moreover, Bahrain in coordination with the UAE has participated in the Phase 3 clinical trial for a potential Covid-19 vaccine, being developed by Sinopharm.

He added that the selection of the aforementioned vaccines was made by the National Taskforce for Combating Covid-19 after following up on the developments of the vaccine trials across the world.

In line with this, the kingdom is continuously in contact with other pharmaceutical companies that are developing the potential Covid-19 vaccine.

Dr. Al Qahtani also noted that the kingdom assures its residents that it would be among the first countries in the world to provide the vaccines as soon as one is accredited by the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) and international health organizations.

He explained that relevant authorities had established plans to provide the vaccine to citizens and residents easily and conveniently and in accordance with the best global health practices in this field.

ALSO READ: 10 Reasons Why Filipinos Choose to Work in the Middle East

[WARNING] Break Lockdown Rules in Oman and Face Hefty Fines, Jail Time

The Royal Oman Police on Sunday (October 18), announced that those who are caught violating lockdown rules could face fines of up to OMR3,500, as well as possible jail time.

The advisory was released after the Ministry of Health has registered 1,657 new coronavirus cases and 30 deaths in Oman, bringing the total cases up to 109,953 including 95,624 recoveries and 1,101 deaths.

OMR 3,500 Fine and Possible Jail Time Await Those Who Break Lockdown Rules in Oman

Major Mudhar Al Mazrui of the Royal Oman Police explained that fines for COVID-19 rules start from OMR 100 for not wearing masks, which might reach up to OMR3,500 for not respecting the rules and regulations, The Times of Oman reported.

“This can be done if your case goes to the courts, and the judge can double the punishment as well. You can also go to jail if your cases reach the courts. We are very serious this time in applying all the rules and punishments,” he added.

In line with this, Oman’s Public Prosecution, in collaboration with other government authorities, has administered punishments to those found guilty of violating the rules of the movement ban.

Moreover, judicial courts in Al Buraimi and South Sharqiyah on October 16, ruled that nine people who had flouted these regulations had to pay a fine of OMR1,000.

In line with this, citizens who were found breaking lockdown rules were also sentenced to six months in jail, while deportation orders were issued for the expatriates involved.

Al Mazrui further noted that the ROP had to bring in this lockdown after many in the country were found violating the regulations enacted to stop the spread of the coronavirus in Oman.

Explaining the current situation, Al Mazrui noted: “We could have avoided this if everybody had followed the rules, but according to the statistics we have seen from the Ministry of Health, we were really in need of introducing more curbs, in order to decrease the number of cases, as well to give a break to those working in the medical sector.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Sofiya Al Mughery, a medical officer at the Ministry of Health, agreed with what the ROP said in terms of providing a breather to hospitals in the country dealing with a large caseload of COVID-19 patients.

“The number of admissions to hospitals had really overloaded them, especially when we talk about the ICUs. The burden was very, very high on them, and the lockdown was imposed to control the pandemic by reducing the spread of the virus through infection and to prevent the healthcare system from collapsing,” she explained.

“We all knew that the dramatic rise in the numbers of confirmed cases we have of COVID, as well as the death toll, grew due to the pandemic. As a medical professional, I think the decision taken to impose a lockdown is very timely and very precise,” Al Mughery noted.

ALSO READ: Expats Can Now Buy Properties in Oman

Saudi Closes Mosques; Curfew in Jordan; Iran Tallies 135 Deaths

As the trend of new cases and deaths due to SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) in many parts of the world continue in an upward trajectory, several governments in the MENA region including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Iran have begun to implement stricter measures to manage the spread of the disease.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the coronavirus has swept across the Middle East and North Africa with nearly every country in the region confirming cases of the new virus.

Middle East Gov’ts Impose Stringent Measures to Control Community Spread of COVID-19

In this light, Saudi Arabia has announced that it will no longer allow Muslims to conduct their five daily prayers and the weekly Friday prayer inside mosques as part of efforts to limit the spread of coronavirus, as shared in a report by Saudi Arabia’s state news agency, SPA.

The prayers will continue only at the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah, the holiest places in Islam, referring to a decision from the Council of Senior Scholars, the kingdom’s highest religious body.

Meanwhile, Iran on Tuesday announced another 135 deaths from the novel coronavirus, bringing the overall toll to 988 in one of the world’s worst-hit countries.

According to health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpou, “Reports by more than 56 laboratories indicated that we have had 1,178 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection in the past 24 hours.”

This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 16,169 as of noon on March 17.

Jehanpour also noted that there are 5,389 people who were infected had been discharged from hospitals “with general good health”.

Tehran province recorded the highest number of new infections with 273 fresh cases. Alborz, to the west of Tehran, was next with 116, followed by East Azerbaijan with 78.

“As of Tuesday morning, more than 15 million of our countrymen have been screened” for symptoms, Jehanpour shared.

The health minister reiterated calls for Iranians to stay at home during the outbreak and asked them to report possible symptoms on a ministry website.

The website identifies the individual using their national identity number and asks if they have symptoms such as coughing or fever. It also asks if anyone suspected of having the virus, under treatment or recently recovered lives with them. If the symptoms are not serious, it advises them to stay at home and tells them where the nearest healthcare center is located.

Meanwhile, Jordan has also announced a lockdown beginning March 17, ordering all citizens to stay in their homes apart from emergencies and banning travel between provinces, to fight the coronavirus outbreak. Troops were deployed at the entrances of cities starting Monday to help impose the measures when they take effect the following day, the army explained.

In this regard, the Kingdom has already shuttered shops and closed its borders to halt the spread of coronavirus. Also, its government is expected to issue a royal decree declaring a state of emergency that will give the authorities widespread power to control movement.

Jordan has closed land and sea border crossings with Syria, Iraq, Egypt, and Israel, and suspended all incoming and outgoing flights. Only cargo flights and commercial overland shipments will be allowed in and out of the country.

ALSO READ: Iran Releases 70,000 Prisoners due to Coronavirus

Iran Releases 70,000 Prisoners due to Coronavirus

Amid the rising cases of COVID-19 around the world, countries in the Middle East have imposed travel restrictions and other precautionary measures. At present, the hardest hit in the region is Iran, with more than 8,000 confirmed cases and almost 300 deaths.

To combat the rapid spread of COVID-19 in jails, Iran has temporarily released about 70,000 prisoners, the country’s head of the judiciary stated on Monday, 9th March 2020.

70K Prisoners Freed from Jail due to COVID-19

Iran’s Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raisi announced the temporary release of prisoners, as the country faces the rapidly spreading COVID-19, Arab News reported. Iran has one of the highest case and death rates outside China, where the novel coronavirus originated.

The release of prisoners shall continues “to the point where it doesn’t create insecurity in society,” Raisi said, as cited by the Mizan news site of the judiciary. However, he did not mention any details about when the released prisoners would have to return to jail.

On Monday, the United Nations (UN) stated that Iranian prisoners have been infected with COVID-19. Javaid Rehman, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Iran, said: “Recent reports indicate that the COVID-19 virus has spread inside Iranian prisons.”

Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has canceled his speech in Mashhad city for the Persian New Year, 20th March. Based on a statement on his official website, the decision was made as part of a campaign to prevent further infections.

“The ceremony for the speech of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic revolution, which happens every year on the first day of the new year in [Imam Reza’s holy shrine] will not take place this year and the Supreme Leader will not travel to holy Mashhad,” according to the statement, which added that the move was based on the recommendation of health officials, for the Supreme Leader to avoid large gatherings and minimise travel.

Likewise, officials have expressed concern about the possibility of COVID-19 spreading during Nowruz, which is the beginning of the Iranian new year. During this period, families usually travel to different vacation spots across the country.

This year, the health ministry has imposed travel restrictions between provinces, and advised Iranians to stay home. However, heavy traffic has been observed along roads leading to the Caspian Sea (a popular Nowruz vacation spot), despite the warnings.

COVID-19 Cases Worldwide

As of this writing, Channel News Asia reports that there are 118,180 confirmed cases and 4,292 reported deaths due to COVID-19 worldwide. Majority of these are in China, with 80,778 confirmed cases and 3,158 reported deaths.

As cited earlier, Iran has one of the highest number of cases outside China, with 8,042 confirmed cases and 291 reported deaths. Italy and South Korea have reported high figures as well: 10,149 cases and 631 deaths (Italy); 7,755 cases and 60 deaths (South Korea).

Elsewhere in the region, the numbers of COVID-19 cases are as follows:

Bahrain — 109 confirmed cases / 0 reported deaths
Iraq – 71 confirmed cases / 7 reported deaths
Kuwait — 69 confirmed cases / 0 reported deaths
United Arab Emirates (UAE) — 59 confirmed cases / 0 reported deaths
Saudi Arabia — 20 confirmed cases / 0 reported deaths
Oman — 18 confirmed cases / 0 reported deaths
Qatar — 18 confirmed cases / 0 reported deaths
Jordan — 1 confirmed case / 0 reported deaths

At this time, all of us should stay tuned for the latest updates on COVID-19 cases, wherever we may be in the world. We should also rely only on trusted sources of information, and avoid spreading unverified news, as this could only cause unnecessary fear and panic.