Shaikh Abdullah Bin Bayyah, chairman of the United Arab Emirates' Fatwa Council, received on Monday the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, in support of the country's efforts to contain the spread of the virus. Bin Bayyah lauded the UAE's exceptional efforts in its handling of the coronavirus crisis, and for being one of the first countries to provide the vaccine to both citizens and residents to safeguard the health of the community. He also praised UAE efforts to help other countries fight the pandemic by providing them with medical aid and vaccines. Meanwhile, the UAE's health ministry recorded on Monday 1,501 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed infections in the country to 214,732, according to a statement from the Ministry of Health carried by WAM. The ministry announced three more deaths from complications caused by COVID-19, taking the country's death toll to 682. The new patients, all of whom are in a stable condition, and are receiving the necessary care, were detected after the ministry conducted 116,687 additional COVID-19 tests over the past 24 hours, using state-of-the-art medical testing equipment, according to the ministry. In the statement, the ministry stressed its aim to continue expanding the scope of testing nationwide to facilitate the early detection of coronavirus cases and carry out the necessary treatment. The ministry expressed its sincere condolences to the family of the deceased and wished COVID-19 patients a speedy and full recovery, calling on all members of the society to cooperate with health authorities, adhere to the instructions, and physical distance to ensure the health and safety of all. It also announced a total of 1,746 more patients have recovered from the deadly virus, raising the total number of recoveries to 191,455. — SG
