UAE records 2,172 new COVID-19 cases, six deaths in 24 hours
March 23, 2021, 11:41 am

UAE records 2,172 new COVID-19 cases, six deaths in 24 hours

A picture taken on April 26, 2020, shows a partial view of the Gulf city of Dubai from inside the a metro wagon. (File photo: AFP)

The United Arab Emirates recorded 2,172 new cases of the coronavirus in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed infections in the country to 444,398, the Ministry of Health and Prevention said on Tuesday.

The country has been reporting a steady decline in the number of new infections in the past week, according to official data.

Six people died due to complications caused by COVID-19, which brings the virus-related death toll in the country to 1,451.

Meanwhile, 2,348 people recovered from the coronavirus disease in the past 24 hours. The total number of recoveries is now 427,188.

A further 209,079 tests have been carried out across the country.

The UAE expanded its vaccination campaign on Sunday, allowing people aged 16 and above to now take the dose.

It was also announced on Tuesday that employees in five business sectors who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 in the UAE will be required to take a PCR test every two weeks, starting on March 28, according to the official WAM news agency.

The categories include hotels, restaurants, transportation, health and social sector, and “individual activities” relating to laundry services, beauty salons and barbershops.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation made the decision in coordination with the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA), according to WAM.

source: Jennifer Bell

Image source: AFP

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.