• Health workers collect swab samples at a newly opened Covid-19 test centre at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. EPA
    Health workers collect swab samples at a newly opened Covid-19 test centre at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. EPA
  • People in Toronto show their support for lorry drivers on their way to Ottawa to protest against cross-border vaccine mandates. Reuters
    People in Toronto show their support for lorry drivers on their way to Ottawa to protest against cross-border vaccine mandates. Reuters
  • Passengers on an underground train in London. Although it is no longer legally compulsory to wear masks in indoor venues, some rail companies in England still require passengers to wear face coverings. EPA
    Passengers on an underground train in London. Although it is no longer legally compulsory to wear masks in indoor venues, some rail companies in England still require passengers to wear face coverings. EPA
  • A health worker holds a swab sample collected from a member of the media before the start of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. AFP
    A health worker holds a swab sample collected from a member of the media before the start of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. AFP
  • A House of Fraser department store, which closed down during the coronavirus outbreak, on Oxford Street in London. AP
    A House of Fraser department store, which closed down during the coronavirus outbreak, on Oxford Street in London. AP
  • Crowds of people wait for the train at a railway station in Shanghai during the Chinese New Year travel rush. Reuters
    Crowds of people wait for the train at a railway station in Shanghai during the Chinese New Year travel rush. Reuters
  • Naples, Italy. More EU countries now require people to wear FFP2 multi-layered face masks outdoors to curb the spread of the more contagious Omicron coronavirus strain. EPA
    Naples, Italy. More EU countries now require people to wear FFP2 multi-layered face masks outdoors to curb the spread of the more contagious Omicron coronavirus strain. EPA
  • A health worker collects a swab sample at a Covid-19 test centre in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. EPA
    A health worker collects a swab sample at a Covid-19 test centre in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. EPA
  • A pupil receives a dose of the Sinovac vaccine at a primary school in Tangerang, Indonesia. EPA
    A pupil receives a dose of the Sinovac vaccine at a primary school in Tangerang, Indonesia. EPA
  • A health worker treats a Covid-19 patient in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Marica, Brazil. AP
    A health worker treats a Covid-19 patient in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Marica, Brazil. AP
  • A doctor prescribes medicine for a person infected with Covid-19, in Quito, Ecuador. AP
    A doctor prescribes medicine for a person infected with Covid-19, in Quito, Ecuador. AP
  • A driver places a swab into a vial at a drive-through test centre in Darby, Pennsylvania. AP
    A driver places a swab into a vial at a drive-through test centre in Darby, Pennsylvania. AP
  • Medics take a swab from a patient outside a doctor's office in Laatzen, Germany. AP
    Medics take a swab from a patient outside a doctor's office in Laatzen, Germany. AP
  • Residents undergo nucleic acid tests at a Covid-19 test centre in Anyang, China. AFP
    Residents undergo nucleic acid tests at a Covid-19 test centre in Anyang, China. AFP
  • A man receives a shot of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine in Moscow. EPA
    A man receives a shot of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine in Moscow. EPA
  • A health worker collects a swab sample at a government hospital in Hyderabad. AFP
    A health worker collects a swab sample at a government hospital in Hyderabad. AFP
  • A health worker collects a swab sample from a member of the media before the start of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. AFP
    A health worker collects a swab sample from a member of the media before the start of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. AFP
  • Medics transfer a Covid-19 patient at a hospital in Krasnodar, Russia. AP
    Medics transfer a Covid-19 patient at a hospital in Krasnodar, Russia. AP

Covid-19 cases and deaths rising in Middle East as rest of world sees drop


Nada El Sawy
  • English
  • Arabic

The Middle East and North Africa is the only World Health Organisation region in which Covid-19 case numbers and deaths continue to rise since the beginning of the year because of lower vaccination rates, the organisation said on Wednesday.

Weekly case numbers increased by 36 per cent in the Eastern Mediterranean region, which includes 22 countries and territories stretching from Morocco to Pakistan, during the week of January 31 to February 6. The WHO said weekly deaths increased by 45 per cent.

“There has been a dramatic increase in the number of Covid-19 cases over the past six weeks, with a daily average of over 110,000 cases. A rise in deaths has also been reported over the past three weeks, with a daily average of 345 deaths,” Dr Ahmed Al Mandhari, WHO regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said in Cairo.

The five other WHO regions — Africa, the Americas, South-east Asia, Europe and Western Pacific — reported decreases in weekly cases this month.

Globally, the number of new Covid-19 cases decreased by 17 per cent compared with the number during the previous week, although the new seven-day death toll rose by 7 per cent.

Many of the countries that reported an early increase in the number of cases caused by the Omicron variant have reported declines in new infections since the beginning of January, the WHO said in its latest weekly epidemiological update.

The low vaccination rate in the Eastern Mediterranean region and a lack of adherence to public health and social measures have fuelled the increase in case numbers and deaths, WHO officials said at the Cairo briefing.

About 35 per cent of the region’s population of nearly 700 million people is now fully vaccinated, but the rates vary “enormously among countries, ranging from between 1 per cent and 94 per cent”, Dr Al Mandhari said.

Six countries in the region still have vaccination coverage of less than 10 per cent, far lower than the 40 per cent coverage target set by the WHO by the end of 2021.

“Even though before the end of the year, we had some shortage of vaccine supply, right now this is not the problem,” said Dr Rana Hajjeh, director of programme management at the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (Emro). “All the countries have adequate vaccine supplies, but we need to mobilise the population.”

Improving vaccination coverage has to be combined with sticking to interventions, such as wearing masks, avoiding crowded areas and keeping places well ventilated, Dr Hajjeh said.

“The implementation of all of these has unfortunately been quite relaxed over the last few months, partly due to fatigue and various other factors,” she said.

Countries cannot rely on the concept of herd immunity, as Omicron has increased the level of reinfection among those who are vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19, said Dr Abdinasir Abubakar, manager for infectious hazards prevention at Emro.

“Omicron has changed the equation when it comes to herd immunity. There are countries where almost 80 per cent or 90 per cent of people have either been vaccinated or infected,” he said. “At the same time, we need to push vaccination coverage to minimise severe cases and deaths.”

The region has reported more than 19.8 million cases and more than 324,000 deaths.

A Palestinian pupil receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against Covid-19 at a school in Gaza's Al Shati refugee camp. AFP
A Palestinian pupil receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against Covid-19 at a school in Gaza's Al Shati refugee camp. AFP

In the first week of February, nine countries reported increases in new cases of 20 per cent or greater, with the highest relative increases reported from Iran, Afghanistan and Jordan. In Iran new cases increased by 188 per cent to more than 221,000.

Iran has vaccinated about 65 per cent of its population, while vaccination coverage in Jordan is about 40 per cent and in Afghanistan about 10 per cent.

In contrast, in the UAE, which has inoculated about 95 per cent of the population, cases have decreased in the past two weeks.

The highest number of new deaths were reported from Tunisia, Iran and Egypt. In Tunisia, where about half of the population is fully vaccinated, the 383 deaths represented a 39 per cent increase compared with the previous week.

An added challenge in the region is areas of conflict and the 21 million internally displaced people (IDPs), who account for 45 per cent of the total number of IDPs worldwide, Dr Al Mandhari said.

Dr Al Mandhari emphasised the importance of collective solidarity and action to help end the pandemic.

“It is up to all of us — as individuals and community members — to take actions that can and will determine the course of this pandemic and ensure that future generations are spared from what we are currently enduring,” he said.

Coronavirus around the world — in pictures

  • A young woman receives a Pfizer jab in Diepsloot Township near Johannesburg, South Africa. AP Photo
    A young woman receives a Pfizer jab in Diepsloot Township near Johannesburg, South Africa. AP Photo
  • A girl wearing a face mask rides on a merry-go-round at the Christmas market in Frankfurt, Germany. AP Photo
    A girl wearing a face mask rides on a merry-go-round at the Christmas market in Frankfurt, Germany. AP Photo
  • People travel on a London underground tube train on the Jubilee Line, in London, during the pandemic. AP Photo
    People travel on a London underground tube train on the Jubilee Line, in London, during the pandemic. AP Photo
  • People wait for the tram in Vienna, Austria, amid the crisis. AP Photo
    People wait for the tram in Vienna, Austria, amid the crisis. AP Photo
  • A woman passes by an empty terrace in the Marrolles quarter in Brussels, Belgium. AP Photo
    A woman passes by an empty terrace in the Marrolles quarter in Brussels, Belgium. AP Photo
  • A teacher gives online lessons via webcam at the temporarily closed elementary school in the town of Trebisov, eastern Slovakia. TASR via AP
    A teacher gives online lessons via webcam at the temporarily closed elementary school in the town of Trebisov, eastern Slovakia. TASR via AP
  • Hairdressers and clients wear masks in Amsterdam, Netherlands. AFP
    Hairdressers and clients wear masks in Amsterdam, Netherlands. AFP
  • A man disinfects seats for tourists at a beach in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia. EPA
    A man disinfects seats for tourists at a beach in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia. EPA
  • Israeli boy Itamar, 5, receives a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at the Meuhedet Healthcare Services Organisation in Tel Aviv. AFP
    Israeli boy Itamar, 5, receives a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at the Meuhedet Healthcare Services Organisation in Tel Aviv. AFP
  • A patient suffering from Covid-19 is admitted in the intensive care unit of the Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. Reuters
    A patient suffering from Covid-19 is admitted in the intensive care unit of the Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. Reuters
  • A health worker prepares to administer the AstraZeneca jab in Abuja, Nigeria. AFP
    A health worker prepares to administer the AstraZeneca jab in Abuja, Nigeria. AFP

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin

Director: Shawn Levy

Rating: 3/5

RESULTS

Argentina 4 Haiti 0

Peru 2 Scotland 0

Panama 0 Northern Ireland 0

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20M3%2C%208-core%20CPU%2C%20up%20to%2010-core%20CPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2013.6-inch%20Liquid%20Retina%2C%202560%20x%201664%2C%20224ppi%2C%20500%20nits%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20wide%20colour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F16%2F24GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201%2F2TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thunderbolt%203%2FUSB-4%20(2)%2C%203.5mm%20audio%2C%20Touch%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%206E%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2052.6Wh%20lithium-polymer%2C%20up%20to%2018%20hours%2C%20MagSafe%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201080p%20FaceTime%20HD%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Support%20for%20Apple%20ProRes%2C%20HDR%20with%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%20HDR10%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAudio%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204-speaker%20system%2C%20wide%20stereo%2C%20support%20for%20Dolby%20Atmos%2C%20Spatial%20Audio%20and%20dynamic%20head%20tracking%20(with%20AirPods)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Midnight%2C%20silver%2C%20space%20grey%2C%20starlight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MacBook%20Air%2C%2030W%2F35W%20dual-port%2F70w%20power%20adapter%2C%20USB-C-to-MagSafe%20cable%2C%202%20Apple%20stickers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh4%2C599%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Cracks in the Wall

Ben White, Pluto Press 

'Munich: The Edge of War'

Director: Christian Schwochow

Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons

Rating: 3/5

What is an FTO Designation?

FTO designations impose immigration restrictions on members of the organisation simply by virtue of their membership and triggers a criminal prohibition on knowingly providing material support or resources to the designated organisation as well as asset freezes. 

It is a crime for a person in the United States or subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to knowingly provide “material support or resources” to or receive military-type training from or on behalf of a designated FTO.

Representatives and members of a designated FTO, if they are aliens, are inadmissible to and, in certain circumstances removable from, the United States.

Except as authorised by the Secretary of the Treasury, any US financial institution that becomes aware that it has possession of or control over funds in which an FTO or its agent has an interest must retain possession of or control over the funds and report the funds to the Treasury Department.

Source: US Department of State

BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

Friday (UAE kick-off times)

Borussia Dortmund v Paderborn (11.30pm)

Saturday 

Bayer Leverkusen v SC Freiburg (6.30pm)

Werder Bremen v Schalke (6.30pm)

Union Berlin v Borussia Monchengladbach (6.30pm)

Eintracht Frankfurt v Wolfsburg (6.30pm)

Fortuna Dusseldof v  Bayern Munich (6.30pm)

RB Leipzig v Cologne (9.30pm)

Sunday

Augsburg v Hertha Berlin (6.30pm)

Hoffenheim v Mainz (9pm)

 

 

 

 

 

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid

When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Updated: February 12, 2022, 8:27 PM