UAE Covid: Doctors explain why new infections are more than recoveries

Abu Dhabi - Trend must be viewed as a positive development, experts say.

April registered the lowest number of new Covid-19 cases this year after the highs recorded in January and February. However, since April 10, the number of new infections has been more than recoveries – a pattern seen for the first time this year in the UAE.

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But medical experts assured the trend must be viewed as a positive development of the nation bending the Covid curve with a steady number of low cases largely remaining between 1,700 to 2,200.

“Once the cases reach the peak and then plateau, the recoveries start increasing and outnumber the daily cases. However, once the number of daily cases reduces, the recoveries can be less than the daily or equal to it. The other reason could be that the cases have been consistent around 1,800-2,000 cases per day with no decline below 1,500 or less than 1,000. Secondly, few cases are severe or critical, which are taking more days to recover hence the reason for less recoveries,” said Dr Sunil Vyas, pulmonology (specialist), Aster Hospital, Al Qusais.

On Saturday, 1,735 new cases and 1,701 recoveries were reported from across the country.

“This can be seen as a positive trend. What we are witnessing could be a sign of actual bending of the curve. However, it is too early to make such a prediction and declare victory as new variants of virus, found in parts of the world, are more contagious and fatal. So, we have to continue to take precautionary measures,” Dr Vyas added.