UAE government spokesperson says battle against COVID-19 isn't over yet

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The fight against the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, but there is cause for optimism as the vaccination programme continues to roll out.

That's according to Dr Farida Al Hosani, spokesperson for the UAE health sector, who spoke to Dubai Eye 103.8's Business Breakfast show, on the one-year mark since the World Health Organisation declared the coronavirus pandemic.

She said countries are heading towards different challenges with the advent of new variants but stressed that the UAE is increasing surveillance and, uniquely, the number of testing centres.

Overall, Al Hosani said the government is optimistic about progress this year due to the community's cooperation and the rollout of the global vaccination programmes.

Dr Ayaz Virji, Medical Director of the Health Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi also joined the programme's discussion about COVID-19, pointing out that mortality rates in the UAE from the virus have been kept low throughout the pandemic.

Regarding the variants, he added that he felt there is cause for optimism about the future outlook.