The recent spike in COVID-19 deaths in UAE in the past week has been attributed by the country’s health sector to the spread of viral variants of COVID-19.
Dr. Farida Al Hosani, the UAE health sector’s spokesperson said, “The number of deaths in the country has increased recently, in comparison to previous week, due to the spread of viral mutations and lack of commitment to preventive measures.”
In a public briefing on Sunday, Al Hosani said the Beta and Delta variants account for the majority of COVID-19 infections in the UAE.
The health official underscored 94 per cent of the deaths due to COVID-19 have been among unvaccinated people, with only 6 per cent among the vaccinated population.
The figures were also evident in the cases admitted to intensive care units in hospitals, where the percentage of non-vaccinated people admitted was at 92%, while vaccinated people stood accounts for 8% of the total.
The spokesperson noted that only 16 per cent of those who contracted the virus are vaccinated.
Meanwhile, 71% of the UAE’s total population has received the vaccination.
Al Hosani furthered failure to comply with safety protocols and hesitancy to get vaccinated also contributed to the increase in fatalities.
“Vaccines have proven successful in reducing hospital admissions and intensive care rates and reducing the death rate,” she pointed out.
