Two people have died in the UAE due to complications with the new coronavirus (COVID-19). This is the first two reported deaths announced by the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) on a Saturday early morning – March 21, 2020.
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A day after a report that 140 people have contracted the virus (with 31 recoveries), a tragic announcement was made by MOHAP as 2 persons have passed away.
The deaths involve a 78-year old Arab national who had a heart attack, coinciding with complications from the coronavirus disease. The other one is a 58-year-old Asian national and resident of the UAE who had prior chronic illnesses – heart disease and kidney failure – which further complicated their inability to fight the disease.
MOHAP added that these two individuals received all necessary medical care and attention in the country’s medical facilities.
Below is the Tweet from the Ministry of Health and Prevention regarding the 2 COVID-19 deaths:
2 COVID-19 deaths confirmed in the UAE#coronavirus#covid19#mohap_uae pic.twitter.com/0fxqkT7yVa
— وزارة الصحة ووقاية المجتمع الإماراتية – MOHAP UAE (@mohapuae) March 20, 2020
Ministry of health and prevention logoBelow is the full statement as per official UAE government news agency WAM:
2 COVID-19 deaths confirmed: UAE Ministry of Health
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, MoHAP, has announced the first two deaths caused by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, in the country.
In a statement, MoHAP noted that one of the individuals was a 78-year old Arab national who had arrived in the country from Europe. The cause of death was a heart attack, coinciding with complications from the coronavirus disease, the ministry added.
MoHAP added that the other individual, a 58-year-old Asian national and resident of the UAE, had prior chronic illnesses – heart disease and kidney failure – which further complicated their inability to fight the disease. The Ministry expressed its regret and sincere condolences to the families of the deceased, and expressed its well-wishes for the recovery of all individuals diagnosed with coronavirus.
It reassured that both cases had received all necessary medical care and attention in the country’s medical facilities.
The ministry noted that available statistics on the pandemic show that the mortality rate is 3.6 percent, adding that this rate increases among elderly persons and individuals who are immuno-compromised or suffer from chronic illness.
MoHAP urged the general public to cooperate with health authorities, and adhere to precautionary measures announced – particularly social distancing – to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 and ensure the overall health and safety of the UAE community.