Worldwide Cases: 30,369,778 Worldwide Deaths: 948,795

UAE Cases: 84,242

UAE Deaths: 404

United States Cases: 6,769,900

United States Deaths: 198,800

Africa Cases: 1,391,241 Africa Deaths: 33,623

Asia Cases: 9,177,777 Asia Deaths: 172,404

[America Cases]((https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/geographical-distribution-2019-ncov-cases): 15,496,955 America Deaths: 528,504

Europe Cases: 4,441,566 Europe Deaths: 217,278

Oceania Cases: 32,211 Oceania Deaths: 908

Note: America Cases and Deaths refers to the continent of the Americas and does not include the United States. For more information about coronavirus cases around the world and interactive maps visit this article.

According to the UAE Supreme Council for National Security website, there have been 8,665,567 conducted tests in the UAE, with an average testing rate of 103,124 per day. Out of the 84,242 diagnosed cases, 73,512 have recovered and only 10,326 remain as active cases.

The UAE cabinet approved the National Policy on Vaccinations, a plan to make vaccines readily available across the country and support research and innovation. This new policy will set up a multi-sector framework to combat both the present pandemic and any other communicable diseases that might arise in the future.

The UAE has given emergency approval to a coronavirus vaccine from Chinese-state pharmaceutical company Sinopharm. Although the third phase of the trial is yet to be completed, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority announced that it would be available for "first line of defence heroes". No severe side effects have been reported to date.

Abdulrahman Al Owais, the UAE’s health minister, has received the very first dose of Sinopharm’s vaccine in the country. Health Minister Al Owais emphasized the importance of the vaccine for frontline workers, stating that "by presenting this vaccine, [they] seek to provide all safety means for the heroes of the first line of defence.”

New Safety Protocols in the UAE

The Ministry of Health and Prevention and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, have released a new set of safety protocols for social events such as weddings and family gatherings. As per protocol, open buffets are no longer allowed, only single-use utensils and cups are to be used, all areas and surfaces should be frequently sanitized and hand sanitizer must be made widely available. MoHAP and NCEMA highlight the importance of following these rules as well as social distancing and monitoring of symptoms. Failure to comply could result in fines.

The agencies also announced a funeral specific protocol that, “allows only ten persons to attend the funeral service, reduces the number of people responsible for digging to two and pallbearers to between 4 to 8.”

Eli Lilly has announced a new experimental drug that could potentially lower levels of the coronavirus in the respiratory tract and reduce the severity of the disease. The drug is a “monoclonal antibody, a manufactured copy of an antibody produced by a patient who has recovered from Covid-19,” and has shown promising results. It is important to note that the findings have not been reviewed by independent scientists, but nonetheless suggest that a vaccine might work in the future.

Pfizer Inc has reported no major safety concerns in over 12,000 people who have received the second dose of their vaccine. A committee of outside experts has not warned of any adverse reactions, although Pfizer’s own researchers have noted that fatigue is a common side effect. Pfizer will apply to the US Food and Drug Administration for emergency authorization upon the recommendation of an independent review board.

The World Health Organization has announced a distribution plan in preparation for an approved coronavirus vaccine. As more companies race to provide a safe and effective vaccine, questions on who will get the vaccine first are rising. Warning against “vaccine nationalism”, the WHO is creating a plan that gives access to the vaccine to the most vulnerable in every country. At the time of writing, some 78 wealthier countries have endorsed the plan.

Duke University recently released a study on 14 mask types and their effectiveness in preventing the spread of the virus. The study measured the amount of droplets that escaped through the mask while speaking. Although any type of mask is better than no mask, these mask types should be avoided: bandana, neck gaiter and knitted mask. According to the study, the best choice would be either a medical grade N95 or a double layer cotton mask that fits properly.