• A model of a transformer robot wears a mask and carries a sign saying 'Stay home' outside a shop in Ras Al Khaimah. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A model of a transformer robot wears a mask and carries a sign saying 'Stay home' outside a shop in Ras Al Khaimah. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A cleaner disinfects different surfaces at the H Hotel in Dubai.
    A cleaner disinfects different surfaces at the H Hotel in Dubai.
  • Tailor Zeeshan Javed makes a pair of trousers in his workshop with protection measures in place.
    Tailor Zeeshan Javed makes a pair of trousers in his workshop with protection measures in place.
  • A lifeguard watches over the pool at the H Hotel in Dubai.
    A lifeguard watches over the pool at the H Hotel in Dubai.
  • An employee at Century Financial in Dubai sterilises a conference room.
    An employee at Century Financial in Dubai sterilises a conference room.
  • A manager at Stone Grey, a tailoring business, rearranges dresses.
    A manager at Stone Grey, a tailoring business, rearranges dresses.
  • A hotel receptionist works behind a plastic partition at the H Hotel in Dubai.
    A hotel receptionist works behind a plastic partition at the H Hotel in Dubai.
  • Two colleagues keep a safe distance at Century Financial in Dubai.
    Two colleagues keep a safe distance at Century Financial in Dubai.
  • Motorists get laser based DPI tests at the Mina Rashid screening centre in Dubai.
    Motorists get laser based DPI tests at the Mina Rashid screening centre in Dubai.
  • Motorists get laser based DPI tests at the Mina Rashid screening centre in Dubai.
    Motorists get laser based DPI tests at the Mina Rashid screening centre in Dubai.
  • Motorists get laser based DPI tests at the Mina Rashid screening centre in Dubai.
    Motorists get laser based DPI tests at the Mina Rashid screening centre in Dubai.

Coronavirus: UAE records 705 new cases from 82,333 tests


Gillian Duncan
  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE reported 705 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday, taking the total number of infections to 73,471.

Officials said 82,333 tests had been carried out across the country.

One more death was reported, taking the overall death toll to 388.

A further 494 recoveries were announced with 63,652 people having been given the all clear so far.

The number of new cases has been increasing since August 19, when the country recorded 435 new infections.

However, the steepest increase came this week, with 541 cases on August 31, rising to 735 cases by September 2.

Until then, the UAE had not exceeded 700 daily Covid-19 infections since July 4.

Earlier this week authorities urged the public not to panic about the recent surge in cases.

"We demonstrated in the early stages of the pandemic that when all of us as a community apply these precautionary measures, we sail through it with flying colours," Dr Anwar Sallam, chief medical officer of Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha) told The National. 

"I would highly advocate that we first of all not panic or be scared that the numbers are increasing, but rather look back and revisit to what extent we are adhering to those precautionary measures."

Authorities have said social gatherings and a lack of adherence to personal safety measures are both contributing to the rise in cases.

The highest daily figure for the UAE stands at 994 on May 2, with the lowest at 164 on August 3.

There are heavy penalties in place for people breaching safety measures, including a Dh3,000 fine for not wearing a face mask or physical distancing.

The organisers of gatherings are fined Dh10,000, with those attending charged Dh5,000.

FIXTURES

Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)

Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)

Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Tottenham's 10 biggest transfers (according to transfermarkt.com):

1). Moussa Sissokho - Newcastle United - £30 million (Dh143m): Flop

2). Roberto Soldado - Valencia -  £25m: Flop

3). Erik Lamela - Roma -  £25m: Jury still out

4). Son Heung-min - Bayer Leverkusen -  £25m: Success

5). Darren Bent - Charlton Athletic -  £21m: Flop

6). Vincent Janssen - AZ Alkmaar -  £18m: Flop

7). David Bentley - Blackburn Rovers -  £18m: Flop

8). Luka Modric - Dynamo Zagreb -  £17m: Success

9). Paulinho - Corinthians -  £16m: Flop

10). Mousa Dembele - Fulham -  £16m: Success

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Xpanceo

Started: 2018

Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov

Based: Dubai, UAE

Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality

Funding: $40 million

Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)

If%20you%20go
%3Cp%3E%0DThere%20are%20regular%20flights%20from%20Dubai%20to%20Addis%20Ababa%20with%20Ethiopian%20Airlines%20with%20return%20fares%20from%20Dh1%2C700.%20Nashulai%20Journeys%20offers%20tailormade%20and%20ready%20made%20trips%20in%20Africa%20while%20Tesfa%20Tours%20has%20a%20number%20of%20different%20community%20trekking%20tours%20throughout%20northern%20Ethiopia.%20%20The%20Ben%20Abeba%20Lodge%20has%20rooms%20from%20Dh228%2C%20and%20champions%20a%20programme%20of%20re-forestation%20in%20the%20surrounding%20area.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Quick facts on cancer
  • Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases 
  •  About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime 
  • By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million 
  • 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries 
  • This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030 
  • At least one third of common cancers are preventable 
  • Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers 
  • Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
    strategies 
  • The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion

   

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.

Engine: 80 kWh four-wheel-drive

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 402bhp

Torque: 760Nm

Price: From Dh280,000

Nepotism is the name of the game

Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad. 

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request