First case and the spread
The first case of coronavirus in the UAE was reported on January 29, 2020, making it the first Middle East country to register a COVID-19 case. It was only a matter of time before the disease spread, cutting across nationalities.
The first case of coronavirus in the UAE was reported on January 29, 2020, when the Ministry of Health and Prevention announced that four members of a visiting Chinese family – a mother, father, daughter and grandmother – got infected. As one of the first to report on the story, I vividly remember the experience.
At the time, all that we knew was that the virus originated in Wuhan, China and had thus far travelled to 15 countries in the world, affecting 6,000 people and resulting in 132 deaths. And the UAE had became the first Middle East country to register a COVID-19 case.
Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
Qanat Al Qasba being disinnfected by Sharjah Municipality workers.
But the immediate sense of alarm notwithstanding, we knew it was inevitable. After all, the UAE, which is at the crossroads of the world, is not just a preferred transit choice but also a dream destination for travellers globally.
As these travellers continued to stream in, more cases began to be reported. The fifth case surfaced within three days. It was again a man from Wuhan. On February 8, the first non-Chinese – a Filipino – was among two more who tested positive. But the following day brought the reassuring news that the 73-year-old Chinese grandma Liu Yujia from the first lot had already recovered.
It was a matter of time before the spread of the disease cut across other nationalities. On February 28, barely a month after the first case was reported, two Italians of the UAE Tour contracted the virus.
The cycle tour was immediately cancelled and the following day, six more people who were in contact with the duo tested positive. On March 4 and 5, two students – an Indian girl, 16 and Emirati boy, 17, also developed symptoms.
By March 8, the total number of patients rose to 59, with 14 new cases reported. They included four Emiratis, three Italians, two Bangladeshis, two Nepalese, a Russian, an Indian and a Syrian.