The Ministry of Health and Prevention, UAE announced recently that it conducted over 43,000 additional COVID-19 tests.

In a statement, the Ministry affirmed its aim to expand the scope of testing nationwide to facilitate the early detection of coronavirus cases and carry out the necessary treatment.

As part of its intensified testing campaign, MoHAP detected 304 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of cases in the UAE to 42,294.According to the Ministry, the infected individuals are from various nationalities, are in a stable condition, and are receiving the necessary care.MoHAP also announced one death as a result of COVID-19 complications. The total number of deaths in the country has reached 289, it added.

The Ministry expressed its sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and wished current COVID-19 patients a speedy and full recovery.

MoHAP also noted an additional 701 individuals had fully recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 27,4

Meanwhile, in Bangladesh, several high-profile people including ministers and senior bureaucrats have been reported to be Corona positive. The number of COVID-19 infections in the country surpassed the figure of China.
Recently, the State Minister for Religious Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah passed away at the Military Hospital in Dhaka after suffering a heart attack at home. On Sunday, it was confirmed by his office staff that he tested Corona positive.Former Health Minister and Awami League Presidium Member Mohammed Nasim died of Cardiac arrest in Dhaka on Saturday. He was also found to be Corona positive.

Kamarunnahar, the wife of the Secretary of Health Services Division of Bangladesh Abdul Mannan died on Sunday due to Coronavirus infection. She was admitted to the Combined Military hospital on June 10 after testing positive for Coronavirus.

The ICU in-charge of the BRB Hospital in Dhaka Dr. Sajjad Hossain died on Saturday night. He was undergoing treatment for the last two weeks.

Defence Secretary Abdullah Al Mohsin Chowdhury has been admitted to ICU at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka. He has been undergoing treatment for Corona infection since the last few days.

Gonoshasthaya Kendra Founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, which is developing the quick testing kit for COVID-19 was also found to be Corona positive last week. After remaining serious for a few days, his condition has improved.

Several doctors in Bangladesh have succumbed to Coronavirus infection since the first case was detected in the country on March 8. According to the Bangladesh Doctor’s Foundation (BDF), at least 31 doctors have died of Coronavirus infection in the country till now.

More than 6200 police personnel were infected by Coronavirus till last week. According to the PRO of Bangladesh Police Headquarters, 16 of them died and 2767 recovered fully till June 7.

The SP of Pabna district was reported to be infected with Coronavirus on Saturday. Earlier, the Police Commissioner of Chittagong was reported to be corona positive.

In the meanwhile, on Sunday, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reported 32 deaths and 3141 fresh Corona positive cases in the country taking the death toll to 1171 and the number of infected persons to 88,250.

On the other news update, Sri Lankan Government has said it is considering reopening of the Colombo international airport prior to August 1st. Earlier, the Government has announced a strategy to open the country for tourists from August 1st with safety precautions.

Tourism and Aviation Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said recently that all those expecting to arrive in Sri Lanka will be brought back before the reopening of the airport for the tourists. The minister emphasized that this has to be decided according to the availability of spaces at quarantine centers in the country. He said that the repatriation of Sri Lankan expatriates could be completed before August 1.

Mr. Ranatunga said there are about 20,000 more Sri Lankans expecting to return while at least 10,000 persons were brought and are being quarantined. The minister said that after the reopening of the airport for tourists, attention would be made to bring in tourists in groups and that all tourists should undergo PCR tests on their arrival.

Sri Lanka earns over five billion US dollars of revenue from tourism which has been adversely impacted by COVID crisis. The Government is hopeful for return of tourists as life is slowly returning to normalcy in the country. There have been only few cases reported over past one week and none of them suggest community transmission.

Meanwhile globally, more than 77 lakh cases of the novel coronavirus have been reported so far and at least 4.27 lakh deaths were confirmed. According to John Hopkins University, US is reporting the highest number of cases at twenty lakh sixtyone thousand three hundred and fifteen, followed by Brazil eight lakh twentyeight thousand eight hundred and ten and Russia five lakh nineteen thousand four hundred and fifty eight.

United States has also reported the highest number of deaths one lakh fifteen thousand and fiftynine, followed by Brazil  fortyone thousand five hundred and fifty eight, the United Kingdom forty one thousand six hundred and sixty two and Italy thirty four thousand three hundred and one.