From the Editors: PCR tests for Dh65 a step in the right direction

PCR TESTS FOR DH65 A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION: The Department of Health (DoH) – Abu Dhabi has announced today that all health-care facilities in the emirate have been instructed to provide the nose swab PCR test to check for COVID-19 infection at Dh65 only. Along with this, prices for express services for PCR tests have also been revised, whereby, results can now be obtained within one to two hours for Dh350 and within two to five hours for Dh250. These are extremely pragmatic steps that are in-tune with the times. The key to successful countering of the pandemic and arresting the spread of the virus is to get the maximum number of people screened in the shortest possible time. This is all the more important in light of the recent easing of travel restrictions. By making PCR tests more affordable, DoH has taken a step in the right direction. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS IN FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19: There's good news and bad news about COVID-19 almost every day. On the one hand statistics show that India is doing well on the vaccine front. India administered more than 8.8 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines in 24 hours, government data showed on Tuesday. There was also a sharp decline in daily new infections. India has so far administered 554 million doses, giving at least one dose to about 46% of its estimated 944 million adults. This is good news. On the other, scientists warn us that conditions are ideal for the emergence of vaccine-resistant variants around the world. Although millions of latecomers are lining up for their first vaccine dose in the US, one study has estimated that a single shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is about 33% effective against the delta variant, far less than the 90% protection conferred by two shots. So with a highly transmissible strain on the loose, there is still a possibility that some of the newly vaccinated could be infected. All this shows that we are still in the middle of the fight against the coronavirus and there is still a long way to go. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

RONALDO STAYING PUT AT JUVENTUS: Despite all the rumours flying around concerning Cristiano Ronaldo’s future and where he will be playing by the end of the transfer window, is now looks like he will be staying put at Juventus. The Portuguese superstar’s task this season will be revitalising the Italian giants after a limp fourth-place finish in Serie A last season. Reports this week had Ronaldo offered to Manchester City, while former clubs Real Madrid and Manchester United looked more likely destinations. But Real coach Carlo Ancelotti has distanced himself from a move, City and Ronaldo have dismissed the Etihad talk and United look set, so getting Juve back to the top will be the focus for CR7 this campaign. [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

LONG WAIT FOR JUSTICE: US singer R Kelly is due back in court for his sex-abuse trial, facing allegations that he sexually abused women and girls during his career. It as been more than a decade since he was acquitted in a 2008 child pornography case and there are many allegations that have been made since thanks to alleged victims being emboldened by the #MeToo movement. However, these court cases move slowly. It’s safe to say that victims — and their supporters — are waiting for justice to be served in the hope that other people are able to live in a safer world.[COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features]