UAE confirms new coronavirus case

An Emirati pupil has been confirmed to have the virus and is receiving medical care

Commuters wearing protective face masks use smartphones on the metro in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Thursday, March 5, 2020. The Middle East’s travel and business hub has called on citizens and residents to avoid travel due to the coronavirus risk. Photographer: Christopher Pike/Bloomberg
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The Ministry of Health and Prevention on Thursday announced it had confirmed a new case of coronavirus in the UAE as the country approaches 30 cases.
The latest case is a 17-year-old male Emirati pupil, who showed no symptoms, the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry confirmed that his condition is stable and he is currently receiving medical care.
Precautionary measures have been taken, including the immediate isolation of the patient.

Classes were suspended at the school while teams of specialists went in to sterilise the facilities, the ministry said, adding that it was acting in coordination with health and other concerned authorities in the country.

The ministry said it is also conducting tests on everyone who may have come into contact with the patient to ensure their safety and the safety of the community.

The ministry also urged the public to get all information about coronavirus from the credible sources and to avoid rumours and false information.

More than 93,000 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed worldwide, with over 3,000 deaths.

Regular hand washing has been recommended as a simple but effective measure to reduce infection rates.

Emiratis have been urged to avoid foreign travel and airports in the country have increased checks on arriving passengers.

The Ministry of Health said on Thursday that returning residents, as well as tourists from a range of countries, may be tested on arrival and could be placed in quarantine at home for two weeks depending on their travel history.