Intense screening, quarantining measures and testing for COVID-19 cases have improved the rate of recoveries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations. A series of measures, including contact tracing and curfews, have resulted in a recovery rate of more than 50% among the patients in most of these nations. Expatriates accounts for the majority of COVID-19 cases in these countries. The recovery rate in Saudi Arabia is over 70% even as the positive cases in the kingdom was inching towards one lakh.​Of the six GCC nations, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has conducted more than 21.50 lakh tests in all the emirates, especially in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. However, a disturbing factor is the prevalent co-morbidities such as hypertension and diabetes among the population in the Gulf region.​Urban centres in the GCC nations have controlled the spread of the virus to a large extent by imposing restrictions at public places.

Source: The Hindu June 05, 2020 14:23 UTC