Covid-19: Indian missions in UAE open repatriation web desk

Here's a round-up of all the latest developments you need to be aware of:

UAE announces 549 new cases, 9 deaths

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Wednesday, April 29, announced 549 new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus in the country, bring the total number of cases to 11,929.  Nine death were also announced, with the number reaching 98 deaths in the country.  The authority also announced 148 new recoveries, with the total recoveries reaching 2,329 in UAE. Dr Farida Al Hosani, Official Spokesperson for the UAE Health Sector

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, during the conference on April 29, said that symptoms of some of those people infected with the coronavirus, may be simple symptoms such as high fever, coughing and sore throat, while some people may experience a loss of sense of smell and taste for a temporary period.

Majority of Covid-19 cases in UAE do not exhibit symptoms

Majority of Covid-19 cases in the UAE do not exhibit symptoms, a top health official has said. But some may have a slight fever, cough or sore throat, while others could temporarily lose their sense of smell and taste. Dr Farida Al Hosani, official spokesperson of the Ministry of Health and Prevention (Mohap), during a virtual Press briefing on Wednesday, explained the various stages of infection. "The first stage is the incubation period, when the virus enters the cells of certain parts of the body, such as the throat, trachea and lungs. This is the period between infection and the onset of symptoms. During this period, a person does not feel sick and may not develop any symptoms at all. The incubation period varies from person to person but ranges from one to 14 days, with an average of five days."

Indian missions in UAE roll out registrations for citizens wanting to return home
Stranded Indian expatriates and visitors in the UAE can now register their interest to return home on the online portal https://www.cgidubai.gov.in/covid_register/. The Indian Embassy in the UAE and the Consulate General of India in Dubai announced that a data collection form has been launched to create an online database of Indians who wish to travel back to India amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The form was launched on Wednesday, April 29. However, the mission clarified that the decision on resumption of passenger flights to India will be taken in due course and an announcement in this regard will be made on its website and social media platforms. All conditions for travel, to be prescribed later, will need to be followed. The Embassy clarified that the purpose of this form is only collection of information to enable Government of India to plan for return of Indians from abroad and does not automatically entitle a seat on a flight to India.

Inside UAE's twin labs that test 10,000 Covid-19 swabs per day

The UAE is among the leading countries in Covid-19 testing - and its laboratories are stepping up to help raise the number of tests conducted daily and curb the spread of the virus. For one company, the target is to get 20,000 tests done every day by May. Unilabs, with its branches in Abu Dhabi and Dubai combined, currently tests more than 10,000 samples for infection daily. When the twin labs started Covid-19 project on March 19, there were about 2,000 samples tested a day. However, as the UAE shifted its focus to mass testing, the volumes handled by these labs went up manifolds. And in May, the labs are looking to test double the samples than April - a sign of the UAE's commitment to fight this pandemic.