Coronavirus: UAE records 1,284 new cases

Officials report 765 recoveries and one death

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Reporter: N/A. News. Covid-19/Coronavirus. A social distant event at Dubai Knowledge Park. Monday, November 2nd, 2020. Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The UAE reported 1,284 new cases of Covid-19 on Friday, taking the total number of infections to 191,150.

There were 765 new recoveries and the total number of patients who have beaten the virus is 167,306.

Officials reported one death taking the death toll to 630.

There have been 144,602 additional tests carried out in the past 24 hours.

Authorities have steadily stepped up testing rates during the coronavirus pandemic to limit its spread.

Reaching vaccines to countries around the world will be an important part of the fight against the virus.

The UAE's Hope Consortium announced it has engaged four freight forwarding companies that operate in 80 per cent of countries to address logistical challenges of the distributing the vaccines.

The consortium aims to build a global platform to transport billions of vaccines doses across the globe.

It was established last month and is run by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, Etihad Cargo, Abu Dhabi Ports Company, Rafed, part of ADQ and Sky Cell.

Distribution of the vaccine, requiring two shots for full efficacy, will be a challenge in most countries since it requires extremely cold storage facilities.

The hub has said it will ensure vaccines are stored at the correct temperature, maintain the integrity of the doses, ensure distribution depending on demand and provide the highest level of quality.

“Developing a vaccine is only the first step in getting to a solution," said Sheikh Abdullah Al Hamed, chairman of the Department of Health Abu Dhabi.

"Getting that vaccine to the whole globe, while maintaining a robust integrity of temperature is an equal challenge by itself."

The department will oversee regulatory compliance and Rafed, a group purchasing organisation, will procure the vaccines.