The UAE has been ranked first globally in a number of indexes related to dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, from addressing the virus to the recovery period and overcoming the health, economic and social repercussions of the crisis.
The Emirates News Agency (WAM), the official news agency of UAE, monitored six achievements that have reinforced the leading position attained by the UAE, both globally and in the Middle East, since the outbreak of the virus.
Vaccine distribution
The UAE ranked first globally in the distribution of daily doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from 12th to 18th January, 2021, with a rate of 1.16 doses for every 100 persons. The country also ranked fifth globally in terms of the vaccine’s availability.
The UAE was the first country in the world where the number of coronavirus tests surpassed the actual population. By 6th October, 2020, the country had conducted 10 million tests since the start of the pandemic.
Detection of cases
In July 2020, the UAE accomplished a key achievement after the successful use of dogs in the country’s airport to detect infected people. UAE became the first country in the world to successfully implement this approach.
Handling the pandemic
The UAE has clinched the top position in the Middle East for dealing with COVID-19 efficiently, according to the Global Soft Power Index which is the world’s most comprehensive research study on perceptions of nation brands.
Public satisfaction
The UAE ranked first in the Middle East and third globally in terms of public satisfaction of the procedures undertaken by governments to counter the pandemic, according to the Toluna Consumer Insights survey published in June 2020.
Drive-through tests
The UAE was the first country in the Middle East and fifth in the world to offer drive-through coronavirus tests, through several centers around the country. The tests take less than five minutes to complete.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the UAE has adopted effective procedures by utilizing all the necessary resources and tools to overcome this difficult period. The country launched the National Sterilization Program, implemented remote learning and teleworking systems, and utilized innovative medical treatments, including the use of stem cells, for coronavirus patients.
In addition to other precautionary measures that helped limit the spread of the virus, the UAE also established the largest coronavirus lab outside China.
