Virologist recollects studying first COVID-19 case in UAE, handling helpline

Virologist recollects studying first COVID-19 case in UAE, handling helpline

Dubai: A professor in virology recounted studying the first case of COVID-19 in the UAE and handling the helpline for anxious Indian expatriates. Speaking at an International Women's Day (IWD) webinar, organised by the Indian Consulate in Dubai on Monday, Dr Nishi Singh was among eight Indian expatriate women from different walks of life who spoke about the theme for this year's IWD “” Choose to Challenge. In her case, Dr Singh said, choosing to challenge the stereotype happened when she chose virology as her speciality decades ago when not many people even knew about the stream. However, she said she had never imagined that she would one day live through a viral pandemic. "The year of COVID-19 has taken an inordinate toll on mankind. Sadly, I had the opportunity to see the first case in the UAE during my assignment in Abu Dhabi in early February last year," she said. The first cases of coronavirus infection in the UAE were reported in a family of four who had come from Wuhan in China on January 29, 2020. Khalifa University students doing the first batch of MD in the country could learn more about the initial cases through her class,