Two Nepalis in UAE tested positive for coronavirus: UAE Ministry of Health

KATHMANDU, March 9: Two Nepalis living in the United Arab Emirates have tested positive for coronavirus, said the Ministry of Health and Prevention of UAE on Monday.

The UAE reported 14 new COVID-19 cases today, taking the total cases to 59.

Of the new cases confirmed, four involve Emiratis, three are Italians, two are Bangladeshis, two are Nepalese, a Russian, an Indian and a Syrian national, the ministry said in a statement.

The latest cases were discovered following an “active and continuous investigation” and the testing of those who came in contact with previously confirmed infected individuals who were quarantined.

Since the emergence of the epidemic in China, the UAE authorities have spared no effort in monitoring the spread of the virus in the country and handling it according to the highest medical standards,” the ministry affirmed.

The details of the infected individuals have not been disclosed yet.

With the latest cases, the total number of Nepalis tested positive for coronavirus has reached four. Earlier, a Nepali migrant worker, who had reached Australia via Singapore on Feb 26, had tested positive.

Nepal had reported first case of COVID-19 on Jan 24 . A student from Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, had tested positive.

“Several precautionary measures have been put in place, including the installation of detection thermal imaging systems and health checks at the country’s border entry points, and isolating confirmed and suspected cases.”

The ministry has also urged the members of the public to adhere to preventive health measures and to refer to the tips to prevent the spread of the disease.

It has also advised people with respiratory systems to avoid mixing in crowded places.

The global virus has killed 3,792 people and infected more than 109,000 in 99 countries and territories since it was first detected in Wuhan, China in late Dec last year.