Middle East Experience

More than 3.96 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 273,974 have died, according to a Reuters tally, as of 1315 GMT on Saturday..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Factbox: Latest on the worldwide spread of the coronavirus

Richard influenced legions of performers whose fame would eventually outstrip his own.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Little Richard, rock and roll legend, dies at 87

In Jerusalem sat down with the deputy mayor to discuss the situation amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: An interview with Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum

In today's roundup: Iran warns of rising coronavirus infections in….
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: The Middle East at war with coronavirus: Top stories from 9 May

The recent report of a woman infected with coronavirus successfully undergoing a Cesarean section operation in Saudi Arabia has prompted questions about whether pregnant women can transmit the COVID-19 virus to their children.Thankfully, there is currently no evidence of COVID-19 being transmitted by a pregnant woman to an unborn child.However, only a few studies have been done and more research is needed, say scientists.Here are the answers to your questions about pregnancy and coronavirus.For all the latest coronavirus news visit our dedicated pageCan a pregnant woman transmit COVID-19 to her unborn child?There have been no conclusive studies on whether a woman can transmit COVID-19 to her unborn child.According to the most recent WHO release, the few studies that have been done suggest that transmission via pregnancy was not possible.WHO added that the virus has not been found in samples of amniotic fluid or breastmilk –the most likely means of transmission.Chinese scientists carried out a preliminary study in February that suggested the disease cannot be transmitted during pregnancy, but noted more research was needed.Are pregnant women at higher risk from COVID-19?“It is reassuring that so far, the evidence suggests that pregnant women with no underlying conditions, and their babies, are at no more risk of contracting coronavirus than other individuals,” said Dr Jo Mountfield, in a video published by the UK-based Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists.The WHO concurred that at present there is no evidence of pregnant women being at higher risk of severe illness than anyone else, but again noted that research is still underway.Pregnant women can also be susceptible to respiratory infections because their immune systems undergo changes, added the WHO, warning that they should take steps to protect themselves against the virus and stay in contact with medical officials.Do pregnant women infected with COVID-19 need to have a Cesarean section birth?No, says the WHO.“The mode of birth should be individualized and based on a woman’s preferences alongside obstetric indications.”Should mothers touch their baby if they are infected with COVID-19?The WHO says that mothers should keep in close contact with babies and continue to breastfeed.It advises mothers to:• Breastfeed safely, with good respiratory hygiene;• Hold the newborn skin-to-skin, and• Share a room with the babyWash hands before and after touching the baby, and keep all surfaces clean.However, the WHO noted that “transmission after birth via contact with infectious respiratory secretions is a concern.”On the whole, children have made up a small minority of cases of coronavirus globally, the majority of which have been mild and shown no symptoms.Read more:Coronavirus: Saudi Arabian woman with COVID-19 undergoes C-section in Riyadh hospital Coronavirus: UAE says academic year 2020-2021 under reviewMadagascar’s herbal medicine coronavirus ‘cure’ free to schoolchildren, export ready
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Can pregnant mothers infect their children with COVID-19?

Contrary to past emergency situations, the COVID-19 crisis seems to have helped improve the relationship between the Jewish and Arab communities.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: In Israel, coronavirus crisis improves Jewish-Arab relations

The United Arab Emirates saw a spike in daily cases recorded two weeks after easing restrictions with 781 new cases confirmed over the past 24 hours, raising the total to 19,198, the health ministry announced on Sunday.The ministry also said that 13 people of different nationalities who had tested positive for the virus died due to complications, raising the death toll to 198. However, the UAE has maintained its higher recovery rate with an additional 509 new recoveries raising the total to 4,804.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.While the UAE may have partially lifted restrictions, the health ministry has been expanding its testing capacity in terms of numbers of tests as well as screening centers. An additional 29,000 tests had revealed the latest number of infections. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Police launched a mobile testing center on Saturday.The government had shortened the 24-hour lockdown to a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., then shortened it further from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. with the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.The emirate of Dubai recently opened malls, cafes and restaurants while implementing precautionary measures including requiring everyone wear a face mask and maintain social distancing. Children under the age of 12 and seniors over the age of 65 are still not allowed into malls and restaurants.Supermarkets and pharmacies have been allowed to operate 24 hours a day and were never shut down. Entertainment destinations such as beaches and cinemas are still shut down until further notice.Read more: Dubai eases coronavirus restrictions as it marks Ramadan: 10 questions answeredUAE shortens curfew hours during RamadanAbu Dhabi Police launches mobile screening center
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE sees spike in numbers with 781 new cases over past 24 hours

Saudi Arabian stocks rose in early trade on Sunday led by banks, mirroring Friday’s gains in oil prices, while Dubai was pressured by losses in property stocks.On Friday, Brent crude settled up $1.51, or 5.1 percent, at $30.97 a barrel after US producers cut output with the number of drilling rigs falling to a record low, and as more states moved ahead with plans to relax lockdowns.Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index climbed 0.8 percent, buoyed by a 0.9 percent rise in Al Rajhi Bank and a 0.8 percent increase in oil giant Saudi Aramco.Aramco has raised the June price for its Arab light crude oil to Asia by $1.40 a barrel from May, setting it at a discount of $5.90 to the Oman/Dubai average, according to a document seen by Reuters on Thursday.In Dubai, the benchmark index fell 2.1 percent, dragged down by a 3.3 percent slide in blue-chip developer Emaar Properties and 4 percent drop in logistic firm Aramex.On Thursday, Aramex posted a 38 percent plunge in its first-quarternet profit.The Abu Dhabi index edged down 0.1 percent. Telecoms firm Etisalat was up 0.7 percent, while International holding was down 2.4 percent.Read more:Saudi eases coronavirus restrictions in Medina neighborhoods amid 1,704 new casesCoronavirus: Robot doctor helps keep Saudi Arabia medical staff safeRated Gulf banks can absorb up to a $36 bln shock, says S&P
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi stocks climb up on higher oil prices, real estate stocks weigh on Dubai index

Dubai’s Emirates airline said on Saturday that it is operating limited passenger flights for travelers to return to the UAE, according to a travel update posted on the airline’s website.The airline has so far announced Frankfurt, Germany, and London Heathrow, UK, as destinations for return flights, but added that more would be updated as time went on.The service will only be available for residents that have secured approval from The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) via the online UAE Twajudi Resident service.“We are closely monitoring the situation as it evolves, and we hope to resume services as soon as conditions allow. This includes receiving government approvals, the easing of travel restrictions, and commercial demand. We will announce any service resumption when we are in a position to do so,” Emirates said in their statement.All passengers will be subject to a mandatory Dubai Health Authority (DHA) coronavirus test on arrival, followed by a 14-day quarantine period and follow up test.The news follows Thursday’s announcement that Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways would be operating one-way flights to the UAE capital for residents and nationals to return to the country beginning May 9.Flights out of the UAE were suspended on March 23 as officials moved to contain the spread of the coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19. Etihad, Emirates and other Gulf airlines have begun to offer some flights out of the UAE for those looking to return last week, but incoming flights were still unavailable except for government-organized repatriations.It is currently unclear when all government restrictions on passengers will lift. The UAE has temporarily banned visas on arrival for all nationalities and banned its citizens from traveling outside the country.Last week, Etihad and Emirates chiefs said that it could take three years for air travel demand to return to pre-COVID-19 levels.On April 29, Etihad Airways said that it would be delaying the return of regular passenger flights until June 16.Read more:Emirates airline reports surge in annual profit, warns of coronavirus impactCoronavirus: Etihad announces inbound flights home for residents to UAE from May 9Coronavirus: UAE’s Emirates delivers goods to 67 cities on 100 daily cargo flights
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Emirates airline announces limited passenger flights into Dubai, UAE

Saudi Arabia has recorded 1,912 new coronavirus cases, its highest daily toll yet, raising the total in the Kingdom to 39,048, according to the health ministry.Of the new cases, 35 percent are Saudis while 65 percent are of different nationalities.Read the latest coronavirus updates in our dedicated section.Even though the Kingdom’s daily new cases toll is significantly rising, it has maintained a relatively low death rate and high recovery numbers. The health ministry recorded nine new fatalities, raising the death toll to 246, that’s less than 0.7 percent of the total cases. Meanwhile, nearly 30 percent, 11,457 people, have recovered so far.Saudi Arabia’s coronavirus treatment protocol, extensive testing and active screenings have helped the Kingdom maintain its relatively low death rate, Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq al-Rabiah said last week.The health sector has implemented a uniform treatment protocol developed by the Ministry of Health with a group of Saudi Arabian experts, according to al-Rabiah. The group meets daily to adjust the protocol accordingly based on new treatment methods, he added.He also said extensive testing and active screenings have contributed to the Kingdom’s success in combating the spread of the virus. These efforts have helped medical teams in identifying and tracking cases before they can further spread the virus. Early detection and treatment have also prevented conditions from getting worse.Saudi Arabia partially lifts lockdownThe Kingdom partially lifted lockdowns and curfew restrictions around the start of the Muslim holy month Ramadan while maintaining a full lockdown on Mecca and previously isolated neighborhoods, according to royal order from King Salman bin Abdulaziz.Some economic and commercial activities went back to business on April 29 and are allowed to remain open until May 13, coinciding from the sixth until the twentieth day of Ramadan, and official statements said.Authorities confirmed that wholesale and retail trade stores will be allowed to resume their activities during the two-week period from April 29 until May 13, including inside shopping centers and malls.Specific stores that do not achieve social distancing measures such as beauty clinics, barber salons, sports and health clubs, recreational centers, cinemas, beauty salons, restaurants, cafes and other activities determined by the competent authorities will continue to be restricted, according to an official statement published by the Saudi Press Agency.Al Arabiya English's Ismaeel Naar contributed to this report.Read more:Saudi Arabia's low death rate below 0.7 pct, compared to global 7 pctSaudi Arabia eases coronavirus restrictions for two weeks: 6 questions answeredRamadan under lockdown: How coronavirus is affecting Muslims country-by-country guide
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia records its highest daily toll so far with 1,912 new cases