Coronavirus: UAE reports 340 Covid-19 cases, 290 recoveries, no deaths

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Wednesday reported 340 cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 290 recoveries and no deaths.

Hong Kong said on Wednesday it had approved a version of the BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for babies and children under five years old – part of broader measures to boost vaccination uptake in the financial hub.

The government said it was discussing with the vaccine manufacturer the timeframe for when it would be available in the Chinese special administrative region. The government has said that each shot contains one-tenth of the adult dosage, reducing the chance of side effects.

The government approved the use of China's Sinovac shots for children 6 months and older in August. Sinovac and BioNTech are the two vaccines available for Hong Kong residents.

About 7 per cent of infants younger than 2 have had a Covid vaccine, a rate that is far from satisfactory, authorities have said.

Meanwhile, passengers and crew of cruise ships entering Abu Dhabi have been exempted from showing green pass on Al Hosn app to visit tourist attractions and establishments, the local authority said.

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