The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Thursday reported 1,578 cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 1,550 recoveries. Two deaths were also reported.

As many as 114,483 new Covid-19 tests were carried out, taking the total to over 12.1 million tests so far.

Meanwhile, continuing the crackdown on erring establishments, the Ras Al Khaimah Municipality has shut down a number of bakeries and eateries during the last three months for violating Covid-19 related restrictions, an official has said. Shaima Al Tunaiji, director, Public Health Department, said as many as 833 inspection campaigns were conducted over the months of July, August and September. "The inspections are meant to ensure public health, curb violations and enforce anti-Covid-19 preventive measures," she said, adding that the municipal inspectors visited 82 traditional kitchens, 568 restaurants and 184 bakeries.

In a separate development, Filipino expats who flew home from the UAE are among the thousands who are now stuck at Manila hotels because of delays in Covid-19 testing. Many have no idea when they are going to get the results. "My pregnant wife and I have been here in the hotel for nearly a week now. I am worried that she may have to deliver our baby in our hotel room, though there are nurses and midwives stationed here," said Nemar Galagate, a waiter who flew from Dubai to Manila on October 15. Results of the government-funded Covid-19 tests for returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) used to be released in one to two days. But that was when the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) was conducting the screenings for the government.

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